Recent H9N2 avian influenza virus lost hemagglutination activity due to a K141N substitution in hemagglutinin.

The H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) represents a significant risk to both the poultry industry and public health. Our surveillance efforts in China have revealed a growing trend of recent H9N2 AIV strains exhibiting a loss of hemagglutination activity at 37°C, posing challenges to detection and monitoring protocols. This study identified a single K141N substitution in the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein as the culprit behind this diminished hemagglutination activity. The study evaluated the evolutionary dynamics of residue HA141 and studied the impact of the N141K substitution on aspects such as virus growth, thermostability, receptor-binding properties, and antigenic properties. Our findings indicate a polymorphism at residue 141, with the N variant becoming increasingly prevalent in recent Chinese H9N2 isolates. Although both wild-type and N141K mutant strains exclusively target α,2-6 sialic acid receptors, the N141K mutation notably impedes the virus's ability to bind to these receptors. Despite the mutation exerting minimal influence on viral titers, antigenicity, and pathogenicity in chicken embryos, it significantly enhances viral thermostability and reduces plaque size on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Additionally, the N141K mutation leads to decreased expression levels of HA protein in both MDCK cells and eggs. These findings highlight the critical role of the K141N substitution in altering the hemagglutination characteristics of recent H9N2 AIV strains under elevated temperatures. This emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and genetic analysis of circulating H9N2 AIV strains to develop effective control and prevention measures.IMPORTANCEThe H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) is currently the most prevalent low-pathogenicity AIV circulating in domestic poultry globally. Recently, there has been an emerging trend of H9N2 AIV strains acquiring increased affinity for human-type receptors and even losing their ability to bind to avian-type receptors, which raises concerns about their pandemic potential. In China, there has been a growing number of H9N2 AIV strains that have lost their ability to agglutinate chicken red blood cells, leading to false-negative results during surveillance efforts. In this study, we identified a K141N mutation in the HA protein of H9N2 AIV to be responsible for the loss of hemagglutination activity. This finding provides insight into the development of effective surveillance, prevention, and control strategies to mitigate the threat posed by H9N2 AIV to both animal and human health.

Multiple lines of evidence of early goose domestication in a 7,000-y-old rice cultivation village in the lower Yangtze River, China.

Poultry are farmed globally, with chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) being the leading domesticated species. Although domestic chicken bones have been reported from some Early Holocene sites, their origin is controversial and there is no reliable domestic chicken bone older than the Middle Holocene. Here, we studied goose bones from Tianluoshan­a 7,000-y-old rice cultivation village in the lower Yangtze River valley, China­using histological, geochemical, biochemical, and morphological approaches. Histological analysis revealed that one of the bones was derived from a locally bred chick, although no wild goose species breed in southern China. The analysis of oxygen-stable isotope composition supported this observation and further revealed that some of the mature bones were also derived from locally bred individuals. The nitrogen-stable isotope composition showed that locally bred mature birds fed on foods different from those eaten by migrant individuals. Morphological analysis revealed that the locally bred mature birds were homogenous in size, whereas radiocarbon dating clearly demonstrated that the samples from locally bred individuals were ∼7,000 y old. The histological, geochemical, biochemical, morphological, and contextual evidence suggest that geese at Tianluoshan village were at an early stage of domestication. The goose population appears to have been maintained for several generations without the introduction of individuals from other populations and may have been fed cultivated paddy rice. These findings indicate that goose domestication dates back 7,000 y, making geese the oldest domesticated poultry species in history.

Diet-induced changes in the jejunal microbiota of developing broilers reduce the abundance of Enterococcus hirae and Enterococcus faecium.

Modern broiler breeds allow for high feed efficiency and rapid growth, which come at a cost of increased susceptibility to pathogens and disease. Broiler growth rate, feed efficiency, and health are affected by the composition of the gut microbiota, which in turn is influenced by diet. In this study, we therefore assessed how diet composition can affect the broiler jejunal gut microbiota. A total of 96 broiler chickens were divided into four diet groups: control, coated butyrate supplementation, medium-chain fatty acid supplementation, or a high-fibre low-protein content. Diet groups were sub-divided into age groups (4, 12 and 33 days of age) resulting in groups of 8 broilers per diet per age. The jejunum content was used for metagenomic shotgun sequencing to determine the microbiota taxonomic composition at species level. The composed diets resulted in a total of 104 differentially abundant bacterial species. Most notably were the butyrate-induced changes in the jejunal microbiota of broilers 4 days post-hatch, resulting in the reduced relative abundance of mainly Enterococcus faecium (-1.8 l2fc, Padj = 9.9E-05) and the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus hirae (-2.9 l2fc, Padj = 2.7E-08), when compared to the control diet. This effect takes place during early broiler development, which is critical for broiler health, thus exemplifying the importance of how diet can influence the microbiota composition in relation to broiler health. Future studies should therefore elucidate how diet can be used to promote a beneficial microbiota in the early stages of broiler development.

Protein profile analysis of Jilin white goose testicles at different stages of the laying cycle by DIA strategy.

BACKGROUND: Jilin white goose is an excellent local breed in China, with a high annual egg production and laying eggs mainly from February to July each year. The testis, as the only organ that can produce sperm, can affect the sexual maturity and fecundity of male animals. Its growth and development are affected and regulated by a variety of factors. Proteomics is generally applied to identify and quantify proteins in cells and tissues in order to understand the physiological or pathological changes that occur in tissues or cells under specific conditions. Currently, the female poultry reproductive system has been extensively studied, while few related studies focusing on the regulatory mechanism of the reproductive system of male poultry have been conducted. RESULTS: A total of 1753 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were generated in which there were 594, 391 and 768 different proteins showing differential expression in three stages, Initial of Laying Cycle (ILC), Peak of Laying Cycle (PLC) and End of Laying Cycle (ELC). Furthermore, bioinformatics was used to analyze the DEPs. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were adopted. All DEPs were found to be implicated in multiple biological processes and pathways associated with testicular development, such as renin secretion, Lysosomes, SNARE interactions in vesicle trafficking, the p53 signaling pathway and pathways related to metabolism. Additionally, the reliability of transcriptome results was verified by real-time quantitative PCR by selecting the transcript abundance of 6 selected DEPs at the three stages of the laying cycle. CONCLUSIONS: The funding in this study will provide critical insight into the complex molecular mechanisms and breeding practices underlying the developmental characteristics of testicles in Jilin white goose.

A metagenomic investigation of the faecal RNA virome structure of asymptomatic chickens obtained from a commercial farm in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Virome studies on birds, including chickens are relatively scarce, particularly from the African continent. Despite the continuous evolution of RNA viruses and severe losses recorded in poultry from seasonal viral outbreaks, the information on RNA virome composition is even scantier as a result of their highly unstable nature, genetic diversity, and difficulties associated with characterization. Also, information on factors that may modulate the occurrence of some viruses in birds is limited, particularly for domesticated birds. Viral metagenomics through advancements in sequencing technologies, has enabled the characterization of the entire virome of diverse host species using various samples. METHODS: The complex RNA viral constituents present in 27 faecal samples of asymptomatic chickens from a South African farm collected at 3-time points from two independent seasons were determined, and the impact of the chicken's age and collection season on viral abundance and diversity was further investigated. The study utilized the non-invasive faecal sampling method, mRNA viral targeted enrichment steps, a whole transcriptome amplification strategy, Illumina sequencing, and bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: The results obtained revealed a total of 48 viral species spanning across 11 orders, 15 families and 21 genera. Viral RNA families such as Coronaviridae, Picornaviridae, Reoviridae, Astroviridae, Caliciviridae, Picorbirnaviridae and Retroviridae were abundant, among which picornaviruses, demonstrated a 100% prevalence across the three age groups (2, 4 and 7 weeks) and two seasons (summer and winter) of the 27 faecal samples investigated. A further probe into the extent of variation between the different chicken groups investigated indicated that viral diversity and abundance were significantly influenced by age (P = 0.01099) and season (P = 0.00099) between chicken groups, while there was no effect on viral shedding within samples in a group (alpha diversity) for age (P = 0.146) and season (P = 0.242). CONCLUSION: The presence of an exceedingly varied chicken RNA virome, encompassing avian, mammalian, fungal, and dietary-associated viruses, underscores the complexities inherent in comprehending the causation, dynamics, and interspecies transmission of RNA viruses within the investigated chicken population. Hence, chickens, even in the absence of discernible symptoms, can harbour viruses that may exhibit opportunistic, commensal, or pathogenic characteristics.

Landscape genomics reveals regions associated with adaptive phenotypic and genetic variation in Ethiopian indigenous chickens.

Climate change is a threat to sustainable livestock production and livelihoods in the tropics. It has adverse impacts on feed and water availability, disease prevalence, production, environmental temperature, and biodiversity. Unravelling the drivers of local adaptation and understanding the underlying genetic variation in random mating indigenous livestock populations informs the design of genetic improvement programmes that aim to increase productivity and resilience. In the present study, we combined environmental, genomic, and phenotypic information of Ethiopian indigenous chickens to investigate their environmental adaptability. Through a hybrid sampling strategy, we captured wide biological and ecological variabilities across the country. Our environmental dataset comprised mean values of 34 climatic, vegetation and soil variables collected over a thirty-year period for 260 geolocations. Our biological dataset included whole genome sequences and quantitative measurements (on eight traits) from 513 individuals, representing 26 chicken populations spread along 4 elevational gradients (6-7 populations per gradient). We performed signatures of selection analyses ([Formula: see text] and XP-EHH) to detect footprints of natural selection, and redundancy analyses (RDA) to determine genotype-environment and genotype-phenotype-associations. RDA identified 1909 outlier SNPs linked with six environmental predictors, which have the highest contributions as ecological drivers of adaptive phenotypic variation. The same method detected 2430 outlier SNPs that are associated with five traits. A large overlap has been observed between signatures of selection identified by[Formula: see text]and XP-EHH showing that both methods target similar selective sweep regions. Average genetic differences measured by [Formula: see text] are low between gradients, but XP-EHH signals are the strongest between agroecologies. Genes in the calcium signalling pathway, those associated with the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors, and sports performance (GALNTL6) are under selection in high-altitude populations. Our study underscores the relevance of landscape genomics as a powerful interdisciplinary approach to dissect adaptive phenotypic and genetic variation in random mating indigenous livestock populations.

Uncommon Salmonella Infantis Variants with Incomplete Antigenic Formula in the Poultry Food Chain, Italy.

Uncommon Salmonella Infantis variants displaying only flagellar antigens phenotypically showed identical incomplete antigenic formula but differed by molecular serotyping. Although most formed rough colonies, all shared antimicrobial resistances and the presence of usg gene with wild-type Salmonella Infantis. Moreover, they were undistinguishable wild-type Salmonella Infantis by whole-genome sequencing.

Emergence of Poultry-Associated Human Salmonella enterica Serovar Abortusovis Infections, New South Wales, Australia.

Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis is a ovine-adapted pathogen that causes spontaneous abortion. Salmonella Abortusovis was reported in poultry in 2009 and has since been reported in human infections in New South Wales, Australia. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a clade of 51 closely related isolates from Australia originating in 2004. That clade was genetically distinct from ovine-associated isolates. The clade was widespread in New South Wales poultry production facilities but was only responsible for sporadic human infections. Some known virulence factors associated with human infections were only found in the poultry-associated clade, some of which were acquired through prophages and plasmids. Furthermore, the ovine-associated clade showed signs of genome decay, but the poultry-associated clade did not. Those genomic changes most likely led to differences in host range and disease type. Surveillance using the newly identified genetic markers will be vital for tracking Salmonella Abortusovis transmission in animals and to humans and preventing future outbreaks.

Divergent Pathogenesis and Transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) in Swine.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have potential to cross species barriers and cause pandemics. Since 2022, HPAI A(H5N1) belonging to the goose/Guangdong 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin phylogenetic clade have infected poultry, wild birds, and mammals across North America. Continued circulation in birds and infection of multiple mammalian species with strains possessing adaptation mutations increase the risk for infection and subsequent reassortment with influenza A viruses endemic in swine. We assessed the susceptibility of swine to avian and mammalian HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strains using a pathogenesis and transmission model. All strains replicated in the lung of pigs and caused lesions consistent with influenza A infection. However, viral replication in the nasal cavity and transmission was only observed with mammalian isolates. Mammalian adaptation and reassortment may increase the risk for incursion and transmission of HPAI viruses in feral, backyard, or commercial swine.

Concurrent Infection with Clade 2.3.4.4b Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N6 and H5N1 Viruses, South Korea, 2023.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 and H5N1 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b were simultaneously introduced into South Korea at the end of 2023. An outbreak at a broiler duck farm consisted of concurrent infection by both viruses. Sharing genetic information and international surveillance of such viruses in wild birds and poultry is critical.

Antigenic mapping of the hemagglutinin of the H9 subtype influenza A viruses using sera from Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica).

IMPORTANCE: Determining the relevant amino acids involved in antigenic drift on the surface protein hemagglutinin (HA) is critical to understand influenza virus evolution and efficient assessment of vaccine strains relative to current circulating strains. We used antigenic cartography to generate an antigenic map of the H9 hemagglutinin (HA) using sera produced in one of the most relevant minor poultry species, Japanese quail. Key antigenic positions were identified and tested to confirm their impact on the antigenic profile. This work provides a better understanding of the antigenic diversity of the H9 HA as it relates to reactivity to quail sera and will facilitate a rational approach for selecting more efficacious vaccines against poultry-origin H9 influenza viruses in minor poultry species.

Microbial contamination pathways in a poultry abattoir provided clues on the distribution and persistence of Arcobacter spp.

The consumption of contaminated poultry meat is a significant threat for public health, as it implicates in foodborne pathogen infections, such as those caused by Arcobacter. The mitigation of clinical cases requires the understanding of contamination pathways in each food process and the characterization of resident microbiota in the productive environments, so that targeted sanitizing procedures can be effectively implemented. Nowadays these investigations can benefit from the complementary and thoughtful use of culture- and omics-based analyses, although their application in situ is still limited. Therefore, the 16S-rRNA gene-based sequencing of total DNA and the targeted isolation of Arcobacter spp. through enrichment were performed to reconstruct the environmental contamination pathways within a poultry abattoir, as well as the dynamics and distribution of this emerging pathogen. To that scope, broiler's neck skin and caeca have been sampled during processing, while environmental swabs were collected from surfaces after cleaning and sanitizing. Metataxonomic survey highlighted a negligible impact of fecal contamination and a major role of broiler's skin in determining the composition of the resident abattoir microbiota. The introduction of Arcobacter spp. in the environment was mainly conveyed by this source rather than the intestinal content. Arcobacter butzleri represented one of the most abundant species and was extensively detected in the abattoir by both metataxonomic and enrichment methods, showing higher prevalence than other more thermophilic Campylobacterota. In particular, Arcobacter spp. was recovered viable in the plucking sector with high frequency, despite the adequacy of the sanitizing procedure.IMPORTANCEOur findings have emphasized the persistence of Arcobacter spp. in a modern poultry abattoir and its establishment as part of the resident microbiota in specific environmental niches. Although the responses provided here are not conclusive for the identification of the primary source of contamination, this biogeographic assessment underscores the importance of monitoring Arcobacter spp. from the early stages of the production chain with the integrative support of metataxonomic analysis. Through such combined detection approaches, the presence of this pathogen could be soon regarded as hallmark indicator of food safety and quality in poultry slaughtering.

Isolation, Genomic Characterization of Shigella prophage fPSFA that effectively infects multi-drug resistant Shigella isolates from the Indian Poultry Sector.

Because of uncontrolled use of antibiotics, emergence of multidrug-resistant Shigella species poses a huge potential of zoonotic transfer from poultry sector. With increasing resistance to current antibiotics, there is a critical need to explore antibiotic alternatives. Using a Shigella flexneri reference strain, we isolated a novel fPSFA phage after inducing with mitomycin C. The phage was found to be stable for wide ranges of temperature -20 °C-65 °C and pH 3 to 11. fPSFA shows a latent period that ranges from 20 to 30 min and generation times of 50-60 min. The genome analysis of phage reveals two major contigs of 23788 bp and 23285 bp with 50.16 % and 39.33 % G + C content containing a total of 80 CDS and 2 tRNA genes. The phage belongs to Straboviridae family and lacks any virulence or antimicrobial resistance gene, thus making it a suitable candidate for treatment of drug-resistant infections. To confirm lytic ability of novel phage, we isolated 54 multidrug-resistant Shigella species from thirty-five poultry fecal samples that shows multiple antibiotic resistance index ranging from 0.15 to 0.75 (from 3 Indian states). The fPSFA showed lytic activity against multidrug-resistant Shigella isolates (73.08 %) (MARI≥0.50). The wide host ranges of fPSFA phage demonstrate its potential to be used as a biocontrol agent.

In-silico insights of ESBL variants and tracking the probable sources of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in a small-scale poultry farm.

Commercial broiler farms face challenges of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli transmitted from both vertical and horizontal routes. Understanding the dynamics of ESBL-E. coli transmission in compromised biosecurity settings of small-scale rural poultry farms is essential. This study aimed to elucidate the probable transmission pathways of ESBL-E. coli in such settings, employing phylogenetic analysis and molecular docking simulations to explore the catalytic properties of ß-lactamase variants. Sampling was conducted on a small-scale poultry farm in West Bengal, India, collecting 120 samples at three intervals during the broiler production cycle. E. coli isolates underwent resistance testing against eight antimicrobials, with confirmation of ESBL production. Genotypic analysis of ESBL genes and sequencing were performed, alongside molecular docking analyses and phylogenetic comparisons with publicly available sequences. Among 173 E. coli isolates, varying resistance profiles were observed, with complete resistance to cefixime and high resistance to amoxicillin and tetracycline. The incidence of ESBL-E. coli fluctuated over the production cycle, with dynamic changes in the prevalence of blaCTX-M-type and blaSHV-type genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated partial clonal relationships with human clinical strains and poultry strains from the Indian subcontinent. Molecular docking confirmed the catalytic efficiencies of these ESBL variants. The study highlights probable vertical transmission of ESBL-E. coli and emphasizes drinking water as a potential source of horizontal transmission in small-scale poultry farms. Strict biosecurity measures could prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in birds and their products in a small scale poultry farm.

Preliminary snapshot reveals a relationship between multidrug-resistance and biofilm production among enterobacteriaceae isolated from fecal samples of farm-raised poultry in ceará, Brazil.

Antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation by microbial pathogens pose a significant challenge to poultry production systems due to the persistent risk of dissemination and compromise of bird health and productivity. In this context, the study aimed to investigate the occurrence of different multiresistance phenotypes and the biofilm-forming ability of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from broiler chicken excreta in poultry production units in Ceará, Brazil. Samples were collected from three distinct broiler breeding facilities and subjected to isolation, identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, phenotypic screening for ß-lactamases enzymes, and biofilm formation evaluation. Seventy-one strains were identified, being Escherichia coli (37 %) and Proteus mirabilis (32 %), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (11 %), Providencia stuartii (9 %), Klebsiella aerogenes (6 %), Alcaligenes faecalis (4 %), and Salmonella sp. (1 %). A significant proportion (87 %) of multiresistant strains were detected. For the phenotypic evaluation of ß-lactamases production, strains with resistance to second and third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were tested. About 4 of 6 and 10 of 26 were positive for inducible chromosomal AmpC ß-lactamase and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL), respectively. Regarding biofilm formation, it was observed that all MDR strains were capable of forming biofilm. In this sense. the potential of these MDR bacteria to develop biofilms becomes a significant concern, representing a real threat to both human and animal health, as biofilms offer stability, antimicrobial protection, and facilitate genetic transfer.

In vitro conjugation of IncB/O-plasmid: Minimum inhibitory concentration of ß-lactams increases 16-fold in Salmonella enterica compared with Escherichia coli.

The use of antimicrobials in poultry leaves residues in the litter, favoring the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and making it a source of contamination. An in vitro 4 × 4 factorial trial was performed to investigate the influence of four treatments, consisting of antimicrobial sub-concentrations, on the transference of IncB/O-plasmid through conjugation in four groups. Each group was composed of one plasmid donor bacterium (Escherichia coli H2332) and a recipient bacterium (Escherichia coli J62 or Salmonella enterica serovars, Enteritidis, Typhimurium, or Heidelberg). Our results showed a little decrease in the conjugation frequency in almost all treatments between the two bacterial species, which varied according to each strain. The MIC test revealed an increase of up to 4096-fold in resistance to beta-lactams in Salmonella serovars after plasmid acquisition. This finding suggests that some genetic apparatus may be involved in increased antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella serovars after the acquisition of primary resistance determinants.

Isolation and genetic characteristics of Novel H4N1 Avian Influenza viruses in ChongQing, China.

BACKGROUND: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) constitute significant zoonotic pathogens encompassing a broad spectrum of subtypes. Notably, the H4 subtype of AIVs has a pronounced ability to shift hosts. The escalating prevalence of the H4 subtype heightens the concern for its zoonotic potential, signaling an urgent need for vigilance. METHODS: During the period from December 2021 to November 2023, we collected AIV-related environmental samples and assessed them using a comprehensive protocol that included nucleic acid testing, gene sequencing, isolation culture, and resequencing. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 934 environmental samples were assessed, revealing a remarkably high detection rate (43.66%, 289/662) of AIV in the live poultry market. Notably, the H4N1 subtype AIV (cs2301) was isolated from the live poultry market and its complete genome sequence was successfully determined. Subsequent analysis revealed that cs2301, resulting from a reassortment event between wild and domesticated waterfowl, exhibits multiple mutations and demonstrates potential for host transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Our research once again demonstrates the significant role of wild and domesticated waterfowl in the reassortment process of avian influenza virus, enriching the research on the H4 subtype of AIV, and emphasizing the importance of proactive monitoring the environment related to avian influenza virus.

Isolation, identification, and molecular characterization of potential keratinolytic fungus sp. from Southern Assam: relevance to poultry wastes and its biological management.

Feather waste is a highly prevalent form of keratinous waste that is generated by the poultry industry. The global daily production of feather waste has been shown to approach 5 million tons, typically being disposed of through methods such as dumping, landfilling, or incineration which contribute significantly to environmental pollutions. The proper management of these keratinous wastes is crucial to avoid environmental contamination. The study was carried out to isolate the keratinolytic fungi from the poultry disposal sites of different region of North-East India to evaluate its potential in bioremediation of the feathers wastes. Out of 12 fungal strains isolated from the sites, the fungus showing the highest zone of hydrolysis on both the skim milk and keratin agar medium was selected for the study and the molecular identification of the isolate was performed through DNA sequence analysis by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The sequence results showed higher similarity (above 95%) with Aspergillus spp. and was named Aspergillus sp. Iro-1. The strain was further analyzed for its feather degrading potential which was performed in submerged conditions under optimized conditions. The study showed that the strain could effectively degrade the feathers validated through weight loss method, and the structural deformations in the feathers were visualized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Aspergillus sp. Iro-1 was obtained from the southern region of Assam. It would be of great importance as the implementation of this sp. can help in the bioremediation of feathers wastes in this region. This is the first study of identification of feather degrading fungus from southern part of Assam (Barak).

Bioenergy production from chicken feather waste by anaerobic digestion and bioelectrochemical systems.

BACKGROUND: Poultry feather waste has a potential for bioenergy production because of its high protein content. This research explored the use of chicken feather hydrolysate for methane and hydrogen production via anaerobic digestion and bioelectrochemical systems, respectively. Solid state fermentation of chicken waste was conducted using a recombinant strain of Bacillus subtilis DB100 (p5.2). RESULTS: In the anaerobic digestion, feather hydrolysate produced maximally 0.67 Nm3 CH4/kg feathers and 0.85 mmol H2/day.L concomitant to COD removal of 86% and 93%, respectively. The bioelectrochemical systems used were microbial fuel and electrolysis cells. In the first using a microbial fuel cell, feather hydrolysate produced electricity with a maximum cell potential of 375 mV and a current of 0.52 mA. In the microbial electrolysis cell, the hydrolysate enhanced the hydrogen production rate to 7.5 mmol/day.L, with a current density of 11.5 A/m2 and a power density of 9.26 W/m2. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicated that the sustainable utilization of keratin hydrolysate to produce electricity and biohydrogen via bioelectrical chemical systems is feasible. Keratin hydrolysate can produce electricity and biofuels through an integrated aerobic-anaerobic fermentation system.

Molecular characterization of a novel variant of infectious bronchitis virus from field outbreaks in backyard chicken population of North East India.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes considerable economic impacts on global poultry production. Since its emergence in early 1930, IBV continues to evolve and now exists in a wide range of antigenically and genetically distinct variants, that makes the prevention and the control of the disease both complex and challenging. Although IBV has been reported regularly from different corner of India, information about the molecular epidemiology of circulating strain in relation to clinical form of the disease is not available. We have studied the clinico-pathology and confirmed eight distinct field outbreaks of the disease from poultry population of Mizoram, India. The clinical disease in affected birds resulted sever pathological lesions involving respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary system together. The complete S1 nucleotide sequences and protein analyses have revealed a distinct variant of genotype I-IBV (GI), designated as GI-24 circulating in India. The S1 protein of the field strains displayed unique additional eighteen amino acids at C terminal end when compared with M41strain. Comparison of the S1 protein among all the 27 lineages of GI revealed five mutations that are exclusive to only the Indian strains. All the field strains have also possessed the amino acid mutations at highly variable region 2 (HVR2) of S1 receptor-binding domain (RBD) that are considered characteristic of nephropathogenic strains. The circulating GI-24 strains displayed potency for a wide range of tropism from respiratory epithelium to GIT and urinary system. This study provides insight on recently emerging IBV outbreaks in NER, India, which might be causing huge economic losses to the poultry farmers in the region.