The Role of Nutrients and Nutritional Signals in the Pathogenesis of Vibrio cholerae.

Vibrio cholerae, the agent of cholera, is a natural inhabitant of aquatic environments. Over the past decades, the importance of specific nutrients and micronutrients in the environmental survival, host colonization, and pathogenesis of this species has become increasingly clear. For instance, V. cholerae has evolved ingenious mechanisms that allow the bacterium to colonize and establish a niche in the intestine of human hosts, where it competes with commensals (gut microbiota) and other pathogenic bacteria for available nutrients. Here, we discuss the carbon and energy sources utilized by V. cholerae and what is known about the role of nutrition in V. cholerae colonization. We examine how nutritional signals affect virulence gene regulation and how interactions with intestinal commensal species can affect intestinal colonization.

Surface Activity Profiling (SAP): A potential means of predicting intestinal membrane permeability.

Early characterization of new drug substances intended for oral application includes not only physicochemical properties and stability but also the ability of the substance to permeate through the intestinal mucosa. In this work, a rapid screening method, surface activity profiling (SAP), is proposed as an alternative to animal studies and screening in cell cultures. Measurements are made with a multichannel tensiometer and require only 50 µl of stock solution for the complete permeability analysis. Correlation of SAP results with human absorption was demonstrated for marketed drugs and with absorption in rats for development compounds of Boehringer Ingelheim. Cross-laboratory results for marketed drugs showed excellent agreement. For early stage investigations of lead compounds, where only small amounts of the compound are available, the SAP method appears to be an effective and fast tool to accurately predict fa, provided the compound is amphiphilic.

Stage of goose embryo development at oviposition depending on genotype, flock age, and period of laying.

Embryo development and chick quality are influenced by parental genotype, age, nutrition, environment, and flock management. The aim of study was to determine if genotype, age of goose or eggs laid near the onset of egg production vs. eggs laid near the end of reproduction influence the stage of embryo at oviposition. Three experiments were undertaken. To compare genotypes (Experiment 1) 150 eggs were collected from 3-year-old commercial line White Koluda (WK) geese and from two breeds involved in a genetic resources conservation program, Zatorska (Za) and Bilgoraj (Bi). Age comparison (Experiment 2) was conducted with 200 eggs collected from 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old WK geese. To compare laying periods (Experiment 3), 150 WK eggs were collected at the first week of March and 100 at the second half of June. Eggs were stored for 72 h at 16°C, staged using Eyal-Giladi and Kochav (EGK, Roman numerals) and Hamburger and Hamilton (HH, Arabic numerals) procedures. Experiment 1: Individual breed differences were evident with Stage X EGK embryos comprising 42.4, 33.3, and 38.7% in the eggs examined from the WK, Bi, and Za, respectively. For all breeds combined, 38.8% of the embryos were in Stage X, but in the next order in WK there was stage XI (18.2%), while in geese from the genetic reserve it was stage XIII (Bi - 33.3; Za - 29.0%). Experiment 2: In eggs of 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old WK geese, the majority of embryos (38.7, 32.4 and 42.2%, respectively) were in Stage X. In contrast, in 4-year-old geese the embryos were in Stage XI (36.1%). Experiment 3: In eggs collected in March and in June most of embryos were in Stage X (33.7% and 43.6%, respectively). In addition, more developmentally advanced stages (XI-XIII) were similar in both periods. However, embryos in Stage 2 HH were only observed in eggs collected at the end of laying season. Interestingly, earlier stages (VI-IX) were observed exclusively in the eggs collected in March.

Introduction to the OrBiTo decision tree to select the most appropriate in vitro methodology for release testing of solid oral dosage forms during development.

The EU research initiative OrBiTo (oral biopharmaceutics tools) involving partners from academia, pharmaceutical industry, small medium enterprises and a regulatory agency was launched with the goal of improving tools to predict the absorption of drugs in humans and thereby accelerating the formulation development process. The OrBiTo project was divided into four work packages (WP), with WP2 focusing on characterization of drug formulations. The present work introduces the OrBiTo WP2 Decision Tree, which is designed to assist the investigator in choosing the most appropriate in vitro methods for optimizing the oral formulation design and development process. The WP2 Decision Tree consists of four stages to guide the investigator. At the first stage, the investigator is asked to choose the formulation type of interest. At the second stage, the investigator is asked to identify which type of equipment (compendial/modified/noncompendial) is preferred/available. At the third stage, characteristics of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) are evaluated and in the fourth stage of the decision tree, suitable experimental protocols are recommended. A link to the living Decision Tree document is provided, and we now invite the pharmaceutical sciences community to apply it to current research and development projects and offer suggestions for improvement and expansion.

Preferences for oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing among social media-using young black, Hispanic, and white men-who-have-sex-with-men (YMSM): implications for future interventions.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed preferences of social media-using young black, Hispanic and white men-who-have-sex-with-men (YMSM) for oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing, as compared to other currently available HIV testing options. We also identified aspects of the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test that might influence preferences for using this test instead of other HIV testing options and determined if consideration of HIV testing costs and the potential future availability of fingerstick rapid HIV self-testing change HIV testing preferences. STUDY DESIGN: Anonymous online survey. METHODS: HIV-uninfected YMSM across the United States recruited from multiple social media platforms completed an online survey about willingness to use, opinions about and their preferences for using oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing and five other currently available HIV testing options. In a pre/post questionnaire format design, participants first indicated their preferences for using the six HIV testing options (pre) before answering questions that asked their experience with and opinions about HIV testing. Although not revealed to participants and not apparent in the phrasing of the questions or responses, the opinion questions concerned aspects of oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing (e.g. its possible advantages/disadvantages, merits/demerits, and barriers/facilitators). Afterward, participants were queried again about their HIV testing preferences (post). After completing these questions, participants were asked to re-indicate their HIV testing preferences when considering they had to pay for HIV testing and if fingerstick blood sample rapid HIV self-testing were an additional testing option. Aspects about the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test associated with increased preference for using the test (post-assessment vs pre-assessment of opinion topics) were identified through multivariable regression models that adjusted for participant characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 1975 YMSM participants, the median age was 22 years (IQR 20-23); 19% were black, 36% Hispanic, and 45% white; and 18% previously used an oral fluid rapid HIV self-test. Although views about oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing test were favorable, few intended to use the test. Aspects about the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test associated with an increased preference for using the test were its privacy features, that it motivated getting tested more often or as soon as possible, and that it conferred feelings of more control over one's sexual health. Preferences for the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test were lower when costs were considered, yet these YMSM were much more interested in fingerstick blood sampling than oral fluid sampling rapid HIV self-testing. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the perceived advantages of the oral fluid rapid HIV self-test and favorable views about it by this population, prior use as well as future intention in using the test were low. Aspects about oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing identified as influential in this study might assist in interventions aimed to increase its use among this high HIV risk population as a means of encouraging regular HIV testing, identifying HIV-infected persons, and linking them to care. Although not yet commercially available in the United States, fingerstick rapid HIV self-testing might help motivate YMSM to be tested more than oral fluid rapid HIV self-testing.

Goose embryonic development from oviposition through 16 hours of incubation.

Normal tables provide an objective step-wise description of the morphological development of an embryo. Such tables have been described for the chicken, turkey, quail, and duck embryos, but there is no such staging table for goose embryos. As the goose has one of the longest incubation periods of all the poultry species and embryo mortality during incubation is relatively high, a normal table of goose embryo development would be useful in assessing the morpho-genetic status of the goose embryo before and during incubation. In this study, embryos were isolated from commercial White Koluda goose eggs stored no longer than four days in a cool room (18°C) prior to incubation and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 h of incubation. Embryo staging was based on the normal tables described for the chicken by Eyal-Giladi and Kochav (EGK) and Hamburger and Hamilton (HH). Goose embryos from unincubated eggs were at Stage X and XI EGK and after 16 h of incubation the majority of embryos were between Stages 2 and 4 HH. Our results suggest that while the stage of development of the embryo in the unincubated goose egg is similar to that reported for the chicken, although the diameter of goose embryo is slighter larger. Following incubation, a goose embryo advances more slowly than a chicken embryo up to 16 h of incubation.

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus After Kidney Transplantation in Slovakia: Multicentric, Prospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) after kidney transplantation (KT) is 5% to 40%. The objective of this analysis was to identify the risk factors of PTDM after KT in the Slovak Republic (SR). METHODS: In the group of 133 patients/non-diabetics, we identified the risk factors of PTDM in the monitored period of 12 months from transplantation. RESULTS: The incidence of PTDM in the SR in 2014 was 38.3%. By logistic regression, we discovered that the age at the time of KT [odds ratio, 1.0885; 95% CI, 1.0222-1.1592; P = .0082], the value of body mass index (BMI) at the time of KT [odds ratio, 1.4606; 95% CI, 1.0099-2.1125; P = .0442], and the value of insulin resistance index (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance) at the time of KT [odds ratio, 2.5183; 95% CI, 1.7119-3.4692; P < .0001] represented predictive factors of PTDM. The independent risk factors of PTDM in our group were age at the time of KT of more than 60 years [HR 0.3871; 95% CI 0.1659-1.7767; P = .0281], waist circumference at the time of KT in men more than 94 cm and in women more than 80 cm [HR, 3.4833; 95% CI, 1.2789-9.4878 (P = .0146)], BMI at the time of KT [HR 3.0011; 95% CI 1.0725-8.3977 (P = .0363)], and triacylglycerols at the time of KT more than 1.7 mmol/L [HR, 2.9763; 95% CI, 1.0141-8.7352; P = .0471]. CONCLUSIONS: In the group of Slovak patients after kidney transplantation, the dominating risk factor for PTDM development was insulin resistance prior to KT.

The associations between fatigue, apathy, and depression in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Fatigue and apathy are two of the most common and most disabling non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). They have a high coincidence and can often be confused; moreover, their relationship is not fully understood. The aim of our study was to describe the coincidence of apathy with different fatigue domains in the presence/absence of depression and to separately describe the associations of different aspects of primary and secondary fatigue with apathy and other clinical and disease-related factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 151 non-demented patients with PD were examined using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Starkstein Apathy Scale, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. RESULTS: The prevalence and severity of fatigue and apathy were significantly higher in depressed PD patients. However, our results show that depression, fatigue, and apathy can be clearly distinguished in PD. Apathy was associated with the MFI's-reduced motivation domain in both depressed and non-depressed patients. However, apathy was associated with mental fatigue aspects only in non-depressed patients, and it was not related to the physical aspects of fatigue in any of the studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the pathophysiology of fatigue and apathy in PD is clearly multifactorial, in a proportion of PD patients, these symptoms are associated with depression, dopaminergic depletion in the mesocorticolimbic structures, and disruption of the prefrontal cortex-basal ganglia axis. Therefore, in some PD patients, adequate management of depression and optimal dopaminergic medication may improve both fatigue and apathy.

Expanding sexually transmitted infection screening among women and men engaging in transactional sex: the feasibility of field-based self-collection.

Routine screening is a key component of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and control; however, traditional programmes often fail to effectively reach men and women in hidden communities. To reduce prevalence, we must understand the programmatic features that would encourage utilization of services among asymptomatic individuals. Using incentivized snowball sampling, 44 women and men recently engaging in transactional sex were recruited (24 women, 20 men); median age 37 years. Respondents were offered the opportunity to collect genital, oropharyngeal and rectal samples for STI testing and completed a face-to-face interview about their experience with self-obtained sampling. Interviews were analysed using qualitative methods. Participants were unaware of potential risk for STI, but found self-sampling in non-clinical settings to be acceptable and preferable to clinic-based testing. All participants collected genital specimens; 96% and 4% collected oropharyngeal and rectal specimens, respectively. The burden of disease in this population was high: 38% tested positive for at least one STI. We detected multiple concomitant infections. Incorporating field collection of self-obtained samples into STI control programmes may increase utilization among high-risk populations unlikely to access clinic-based services. High infection rates indicate that individuals engaging in transactional sex would benefit from, and be responsive to, community-based self-sampling for STI screening.

Roma coronary heart disease patients have more medical risk factors and greater severity of coronary heart disease than non-Roma.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of mortality and morbidity world-wide. Evidence on ethnic differences between the Roma and non-Roma regarding medical risk factors is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess differences in medical risk factors and the severity of CHD in Roma compared with non-Roma CHD patients, adjusted for gender, age and education. METHODS: Six hundred seventy four patients were included in this cross-sectional study (132 Roma, 542 non-Roma). Data on medical risk factors, symptoms, medication and severity of CHD were obtained from medical records. After matching Roma and non-Roma according to education, linear and logistic regression analyses with adjustments for gender and age were used. RESULTS: Compared with non-Roma, Roma patients had significantly more risk factors and more severe types of CHD. They were treated less frequently with statins and beta-blockers, were more frequently left on pharmacotherapy and surgically revascularised. These differences remained after controlling for education, gender and age. CONCLUSIONS: Roma CHD patients have a worse risk profile at entry of care and seem to be undertreated compared with non-Roma CHD patients.

USA study of sex toy use by HIV-positive men who have sex with other men: implications for sexual health.

HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts men who have sex with men (MSM) in the USA. Most existing literature on MSM with HIV focuses on transmission risk, but does not acknowledge health-promoting sexual behaviours men may undertake. This study examined sex toy use within this population to describe the extent to which using toys is incorporated into their sexual repertoires as a risk reduction practice. Data regarding sociodemographics, sexual/health-related behaviours and sex toy use were collected from 2275 MSM using an online survey. Most participants reported being sexually active (88.5%), and the majority (70.2%) of participants reported sex toy use within the previous year. Sex toy users were more likely to be white, in sexual relationships with others, and reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Given that sex toy use is common among this population, room for discussion exists about sex toys as tools to enhance pleasure and reduce HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission.

Condoms and developmental contexts in younger adolescent boys.

BACKGROUND: Condom use is a key part of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention for young men. Yet little is known about how younger adolescent boys initially learn about and use condoms. We examined sources of information, attitudes towards, acquisition, practice and early use of condoms among 14-16-year-old boys. METHODS: Thirty 14-16-year-old boys were recruited from a teen clinic serving a community with high STI rates and were asked open-ended questions about condoms, such as, "Where did you learn about condoms?" and "In what situations would you/would you not, use condoms." Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and coded. Qualitative analysis focused upon key concepts and shared social cognitions related to condom use. RESULTS: Both sexually inexperienced and experienced participants perceived that sex feels or would feel less pleasurable with condoms. For almost all participants, families were the primary source of both information about condoms and of condoms themselves. This information focused on pregnancy prevention, with STIs secondary. Participants' views of condoms fell into three developmental groups: not interested in condoms and equating their use with interest in sex; exploring condoms out of either curiosity or in preparation for sex; and experienced with condom use. Exploring included behaviours such as checking condoms out and trying them on. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings of existing negative perceptions of condoms, the importance of families in learning about condoms and the developmental need to test and try on condoms before use have implications for adolescent STI prevention programmes.

Field collection of rectal samples for sexually transmitted infection diagnostics among men who have sex with men.

Rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in men at risk for urethral infections with these pathogens, particularly men who have sex with men (MSM). However, for those individuals not regularly seen by a clinician, screening for rectal STI is not currently a widespread option. Qualitative data and samples (i.e. self-obtained rectal specimens) were collected from 75 MSM in a variety of venues. Upon completion of the rectal self-sampling, each participant completed a brief interview regarding their overall experience with the process. Participants reported an overall high level of acceptability and comfort-level involved with self-sampling for rectal STI. Of the majority of men who agreed to provide a rectal self-sample, all reported that they would provide a sample again in the future. However, many men also appreciated the interaction with a health-care provider that a clinical setting offered. In conclusion, self-sampling is a feasible and acceptable option when offered to MSM in a range of community-based venues. Further research is needed to determine which combinations of STI testing and treatment methods (including self-sampling) are most appropriate for diverse groups of men.

MPTP treatment increases expression of pre-pro-nociceptin/orphanin FQ mRNA in a subset of substantia nigra reticulata neurons.

Antagonists selectively inhibiting activation of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor reduce motor symptoms in experimental models of Parkinson's disease, and genetic deletion of the ppN/OFQ gene offers partial protection of mid-brain dopamine neurons against the neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). MPTP increased ppN/OFQ mRNA expression in the substantia nigra (SN). We have evaluated the temporal relationship of dopamine cell loss to increased ppN/OFQ mRNA expression in the substantia nigra after MPTP treatment, and characterized the cellular locations in which increased ppN/OFQ mRNA expression was observed after MPTP treatment. MPTP increased by about 5-fold the number of neurons expressing ppN/OFQ mRNA in the pars reticulata of SN (SNr) by 24 h after treatment and the elevation remained significant for at least 7 days. This period coincided with the timing of the loss of dopamine neurons from the pars compacta of substantia nigra (SNc) after MPTP. The increased expression of ppN/OFQ mRNA co-localized with a neuronal marker in the SNr. MPTP treatment resulted in a small increase in the numbers of neurons expressing ppN/OFQ in the SNc in mice from one mouse colony but the increase did not reach statistical significance in mice from another colony. No changes in ppN/OFQ-mRNA expression were observed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the caudate-putamen, the subthalamic nucleus, or in two other brains areas. These results demonstrate that increased N/OFQ expression in the SNr is closely associated with the MPTP-induced loss of dopamine neurons in the SNc in a widely used animal model of Parkinson's disease.

Mastery, functional disability and perceived health status in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that is difficult to predict and to cope with. Mastery refers to the extent to which patients see themselves as being in control of the forces that affect their lives. It may play an important role in perceived health status and well-being. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether mastery is associated with functional disability and perceived health status in MS patients and how such an association might function. METHODS: Two hundred and three MS patients completed the Short-Form-36 Health Survey as well as the Pearlin-Schooler Mastery Scale. Functional disability was assessed using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were performed on the data from two MS age groups: <45 and > or =45 years of age. RESULTS: Functional disability was negatively associated with perceived physical health status in both age groups and with perceived mental health status in younger age group. Mastery was positively associated with perceived health status in older age group. DISCUSSION: The findings confirm that mastery might be helpful for older MS patients. Education strategies for MS patients aimed at personal empowerment for the maintaining of physical and mental well-being may be important.

Impact of fatigue on quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Fatigue is frequent and important in the lives of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It is multidimensional, with physical and mental aspects. The aim of our study was to explore the impact of fatigue on quality of life (QoL) for PD patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 175 PD patients from Eastern Slovakia (52% males, mean age 68.2 +/- 9.2, mean disease duration 7.4 +/- 6.7). The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (five dimensions), the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (eight dimensions) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were used. Demographic data were obtained in a structured interview. Fisher's exact test, t-test, and multiple linear regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Different aspects of fatigue selectively explained different domains of QoL - physical dimensions of fatigue were connected with Mobility and Activities of daily living; mental fatigue dimensions affected Cognition, Emotional well-being, Communication and Activities of daily living; general fatigue was related to Bodily discomfort. The explained variances varied from 5% (Social support) to 65% (Activities of daily living). CONCLUSION: Fatigue combined with worse functional status appears to be a significant contributor to poor quality of life. Its multidimensional construct can be used to develop strategies for improving specific aspects of fatigue to improve QoL for PD patients.

Virulence of low pathogenicity H7N2 avian influenza viruses from the Delmarva peninsula for broiler and leghorn chickens and turkeys.

The virulence of low pathogenicity (LP) type A H7N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) isolates recovered from chickens in Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland in 2004 was evaluated. Three-week-old leghorn- and broiler-type chickens and turkeys were inoculated via the conjunctival sac with 10(3.5)-10(4.0) 50% embryo infections dose (EID50) of virus per bird with A/ chicken/Delaware/Viva/04, A/chicken/Delaware/Hobo/04, and A/chicken/Maryland/Minh Ma/04. In broilers, the viruses produced respiratory signs, airsacculitis, and microscopic lesions in the trachea and lung. In contrast, signs and lesions were less severe in turkeys, and they were rarely observed in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) leghorns. In broilers and SPF leghorns, AIV peaked on day 3 postinoculation (PI), based on virus isolation and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and antigen capture testing. Infection in turkeys peaked on day 7 PI. Serum antibodies generally were detected earlier in broilers (day 7 PI) than in turkeys or SPF leghorns (day 14 PI) using agar gel immunodiffusion, hemagglutination-inhibition, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A second trial was performed to further examine the disease susceptibility of the leghorn chicken given the comparatively mild responses noted in the first trial. A 10-fold higher dose of 10(4.5)-10(5.0)EID50 per chick given via the conjunctival sac was used. In addition, commercial-type leghorns were tested as were chicks from the SPF leghorn source. The higher AIV dose resulted in more rapid and consistent rates of infection and higher serum antibody responses in both types of leghorn chickens. However, as observed in the first trial, clinical signs and microscopic lesions in both types of leghorns were infrequent and very mild. These findings indicate leghorn-type chickens, which are commonly used for pathogenicity assessments because of their availability, may not be the most suitable host for evaluating the virulence potential of LP AIV.

A renal transplant patient with intractable hiccups and review of the literature.

Intractable hiccups in transplanted patients may be caused by various medical conditions including infections. We report a case of a 44-year-old man who suffered from intractable hiccups after cadaveric kidney transplantation. We identified 3 different hiccup periods with different causes: 1) steroid and anesthetics use, 2) severe ulcerose herpetic and mycotic esophagitis, and 3) pleuropneumonia caused by nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and pulmonary abscess requiring thoracic surgery.

The effects of avian leukosis virus subgroup J on broiler chicken performance and response to vaccination.

The effects of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection on meat-type chickens reared in a simulated commercial setting were evaluated. Each of three ALV-J isolates was evaluated with both simulated horizontal transmission (SHT) and simulated vertical transmission (SVT). Mortality, morbidity, disease condemnations, and feed conversions were increased and body weights at processing were decreased in ALV-J infected birds as compared to sham inoculated hatch mates. The adverse effects of ALV-J infection were more severe in birds exposed by SVT than in birds exposed by SHT. At 8 weeks of age response to vaccination for infectious bronchitis virus and Newcastle disease virus or prior exposure to a pathogenic reovirus was assessed in the ALV-J and sham inoculated broiler chickens by challenge studies. Although not statistically significant, an overall trend of decreased protection to challenge after vaccination, or prior exposure, was observed in the ALV-J inoculates as compared to sham inoculated hatch mates. Differences in vaccine response were most evident in groups inoculated with ALV-J by the SVT route.

Comparison of a putative second serotype of chicken infectious anemia virus with a prototypical isolate II. Antigenic and physicochemical characteristics.

A putative new serotype of chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) isolated from 17-wk-old broiler breeder pullets was compared with a known, previously characterized CIAV isolate, the Del-Ros strain. Physicochemical characteristics evaluated induded thermal stability, size, pH, and chloroform sensitivity. Physicochemically, CIAV-7 was identical to CIAV. The virus isolates were compared antigenically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, virus neutralization, immunofluorescence assay, and western blot. All four serologic assays demonstrated that CIAV-7 is antigenically distinct from the Del-Ros strain of CIAV. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot were used to determine if there were similarities in genome sequence between the two viruses. CIAV-7 could not be detected with CIAV-specific PCR primers or a with CIAV-specific probe by Southern hybridization.