The Animal Health Research Center - University of Georgia College ...

VScience in Service to Animals SM 

30th Annual Report 

The Animal Health Research Center

Contents 

VMES Objectives 1 

Report of the Director 2 

VMES Financial Table 2 

Animal Health Research Center 3 

Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases 6 

Diagnostic Science 12 

Biomedical Science 14 

Therapeutics and Immunology 16 

Virology 18 

Research Contracts and Grants 20 

Administrators and Advisors 22 

VMES Faculty & Researchers 23 

Selected Publications 24 

Director: Dr. Harry W. Dickerson 

Managing Editor: Dr. Michael Mispagel 

Associate Editor: Dr. Lari M. Cowgill 

Designer: Brad Gilleland 

Illustrators: Kip Carter, Brad Gilleland, Thel Melton 

Photographer: Christopher Herron 

Copyright © 2006 Veterinary Experiment Station, 

College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of 

Georgia. No part of this publication may be reproduced 

without the permission of the publisher. 

www.vet.uga.edu/research/vmes/

V 

Objectives 

Science in Service to Animals SM 

30th Annual Report 

July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 

The Veterinary Medical Experiment Station supports 

a wide range of research that impacts on many 

aspects of our lives; the food we eat and the clothes 

we wear, our physical, emotional, and economic 

health, and the quality of our environment. VMES 

research includes efforts to improve the productivity 

and health of poultry and livestock, to better the 

quality of life for companion animals, and to improve 

public health through disease surveillance. 

This year’s research is profiled in our 2005 - 2006 

VMES annual report. 

VMES funds help support short-term applied research 

that directly benefits the health of animals 

and livestock in Georgia and are used to develop 

extramurally funded research programs at the College 

of Veterinary Medicine. Projects supported by 

VMES funds are evaluated for scientific merit, importance 

to animal health, consideration for experimental 

animal welfare, and their roles in meeting the 

research objectives of the VMES. 

Our objectives are as follows: 

• To improve the health and productivity of domestic 

livestock, poultry, fish, and other incomeproducing 

animals and wildlife through research; 

• To assist in preventing disease epidemics by providing 

laboratory resources and highly skilled scientific 

personnel; 

• To assist in protecting human health through the 

control of animal diseases transmissable to man; 

• To improve the health of companion animals, 

which serve to enrich the lives of humankind; 

• To train new scientists in animal health research 

in order to provide continuity and growth in this 

vital area of veterinary medicine. 

All programs and activities of the Veterinary Medical Experiment Station are conducted 

without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. 

Enhancing animal production, profitability, and well-being by improving animal health. 

Published by the Veterinary Medical Experiment Station, The University of Georgia.

Report of 

the Director 

In this, the 30th Annual Report of the Veterinary Medical Experiment Station (VMES), I am pleased to introduce the Animal Health 

Research Center, which was opened for occupancy in 2006. As you will read in the accompanying article, the road from conception to 

construction and finally to commissioning and occupancy has been long. It was well worth the wait and effort, however, as the AHRC 

provides the College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Georgia with an unprecedented capacity to conduct research on 

infectious pathogens of humans and animals in state-of-the-art biocontainment facilities. The AHRC now houses the research laboratories 

of Dr. Ralph Tripp, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Animal Health Vaccine Development, as well as the laboratories 

of the infectious disease researchers Drs. Mark Tompkins, Jeff Hogan, and Thomas Hodge. This team of researchers is developing 

vaccines and therapeutics for a number of important viral diseases including influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 

corona virus, and AIDS. The containment facilities for animals on the first floor are scheduled for completion and commissioning 

in 2007. 

In addition to funding basic and applied research projects, the VMES budget continues to support research and training related to both 

animal and human health. Veterinary research has an impact on many biomedical fields, and major support for research on animal 

models of human disease is available from federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Medicine. In addition, the National Science 

Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture provide funding for basic and applied animal research, respectively. 

Although competitive research dollars are available from some non-federal sources such as the Morris Animal Foundation, research 

funding that targets companion animals, including horses, is very limited. Thus, the continued commitment from the State of Georgia 

to support research on animal health is a critically important investment. The companion and food animal industries of the State of 

Georgia are a major component of the State’s economy. For example, sales of livestock, poultry and their products account for more 

than half of Georgia’s annual farm income. Protection of these resources is paramount to our State’s continued good economic health. 

The 30th VMES Annual Report provides an overview of peer-reviewed, competitive VMES-funded projects conducted during fiscal 

year 2006 (July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006). Additional information on any of these projects can be requested by contacting the VMES 

office by phone, email or website, or directly from the investigators themselves. A list of publications is provided as well. These 

peer-reviewed papers represent a selection of VMES supported work and other scholarly research originating at the College of Veterinary 

Medicine. 

A summary of the College’s research funding is provided below. Over the past year approximately four research dollars were leveraged 

for each VMES dollar invested. 

Harry W. Dickerson 

Funding Source FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY2006 FY2007 FY2008 

VMES/VMAR Expenditures $3,927,297 $3,672,210 $3,380,261 $3,094,649 $3,148,784 $3,249,577 $3,304,117 

Federal Grants and Contracts 6,962,300 4,768,808 5,624,962 5,746,363 5,850,096 

State Grants and Contracts 4,563,272 4,434,171 3,872,763 4,688,817 4,482,741 

Private Grants and Contracts 1,446,110 715,974 1,677,282 2,221,052 2,075,430 

2 www.vet.uga.edu/research/vmes/

Animal Health 

Research Center 

The Animal Health Research Center (AHRC) at the College of Veterinary Medicine is a 75,000 sq. ft. free-standing building designed 

for the study of highly infectious diseases of animals, animal models of human disease, and hazardous chemical problems. The 

laboratories and animal holding capacities will accomodate interdisciplinary work among colleges. The completion of a high containment 

facility in the academic environment is very timely and long overdue considering the recent spate of emerging diseases and 

looming threats of bioterrorism. 

As early as 1978, the faculty of the College of Veterinary Medicine 

recognized this need for a biocontainment laboratory and multispecies 

animal holding facility for research and training in the investigation 

of emerging and re-emerging biological threats to human 

and animal health. Dr. John Bowen, Associate Dean for Research 

at the college, planned and secured initial funding for the building 

through the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Construction took place 

from 1996 through 1998 with $16 million secured from state and 

federal sources. Nevertheless, due to funding shortfalls and design 

and construction deficiencies, the building remained unfinished and 

unoccupied. No progress toward completion of the facility was made 

until 2000, at which time the Georgia State Finance and Investment 

Commission (GSFIC) contracted with the consulting firm Boyken 

International, Inc. to do a cost analysis for completing and commissioning 

the facility. An end-user steering committee comprised of 

UGA researchers, staff, and administrators was assembled to critically 

review renovation and construction concepts. In December, 2002, 

GSFIC hired a design/build team to validate the plan and to carry 

out the required design and construction. The design-build team, Gilbane Inc. and CUH2A-Smith Carter, with extensive experience 

in complex biomedical research laboratory design and construction, including high-level containment facilities, was hired to construct 

the facility with a stated cost-limitation of $35 million from various state and University sources. The new design addressed current 

containment requirements, original deficiencies, and new programmatic requirements of the College. Most of the original mechanical 

systems were removed and replaced with up-to-date technology. 

This structure is a high-containment laboratory and animal holding facility 

consisting of 8 animal rooms (2 large and 6 smaller) capable of holding multiple 

species of animals including rodents, poultry, and livestock. On a scale of 1 to 

4 recognized biosafety levels, these spaces are categorized as Biosafety Level 

3 Agriculture (BSL-3 Ag), one step below the highest containment category of 

BSL-4. An additional 6 animal rooms for rodents, caged animals and penned 

animals are rated at a lesser classification of Animal BSL-3. There is complete 

support space for the animal facility such as cage and rack washing and sterilization 

equipment, and a pathology suite designed for large and small animals. 

Carcass disposal is handled with a 500 lb/hr pathological waste incinerator and a 

tissue digester whose effluent is recycled via composting. All liquid waste effluent 

is sterilized on-site in a waste water treatment plant before being discharged 

to the sanitary sewer. 

VMES 2006 3

Animal Health 

Research Center 

Containment of infectious organisms is ensured by a series of engineering 

designs including sterilizing high efficiency particulate air 

filters (HEPA) for the supply air and double HEPA-filtered exhaust air; 

directional air flows; differential pressures within containment zones; 

special elastomeric wall coatings that are 2.25 mm thick (vs. 0.18 mm 

for typical epoxy paint) ensuring virtually air-tight construction; showerout 

facilities for each animal room; decontamination and sterilization 

procedures for equipment and solid/liquid waste streams. Extensive 

commissioning and validation of systems are undertaken to assure the 

operational capabilities of the facility. The building is equipped with 

multiple security devices throughout. 

The facility also boasts a BSL-3 enhanced laboratory suite composed of 

five laboratories (1 large, 4 small) for work with highly infectious animal 

pathogens. In addition, the second floor has seven BSL-3 laboratories to 

study infectious diseases in addition to the five standard BSL-2 laboratories 

located there. The second floor of the building also houses a vaccine 

development laboratory for small scale development of animal vaccines. 

When completely commissioned, the Animal Health Research Center at The University of Georgia will rank as a world class facility 

meeting or exceeding the biocontainment guidelines promulgated by NIH and the USDA/ARS. 

Research in the Animal Health Research Center 

The majority of emerging infectious diseases (EID) are of 

zoonotic origin, i.e. transmissible between humans and animals 

causing infection in both species. Many of the most dangerous and 

easily transmitted of these agents are viruses and bacteria. These 

agents impact global security by affecting food for an increasing 

world population, access to international trade and economic 

growth, and raise concerns for potential use as pathogens in 

bioterrorism. Biodefense is at the extreme end of the spectrum of 

serious disease threats. However, the emergence of new agents, 

the resurgence of old diseases, the appearance of resistant forms, 

and the recognition of viral and bacterial agents in the etiology of 

chronic diseases all support the need for an integrated program 

that can address both short- and long-term needs. These needs will 

involve basic and applied public health research, will be multidisciplinary 

in nature, and will utilize modern and robust molecular 

and quantitative tools and facilities. 

Some progress has been made in identifying disease-causing 

agents of zoonotic origin, such as rodent-borne viruses like the 

hantaviruses and arenaviruses. Nevertheless, there is an acute need for a comprehensive approach to identifying, preventing and controlling 

viral and bacterial zoonotic EID. In the past few years the world has had to respond to SARS-associated coronavirus identified 

in domestic and wildlife species, influenza viruses from birds, the West Nile virus from birds via mosquitoes, E. coli O157:H7 

from spinach contaminated with animal or human feces and a variety of multi-drug resistant bacteria acquired from food animals and 

wildlife. It is imperative that those in human, animal, agricultural and environmental sciences work together to address EID threats 

that will undoubtedly continue to pose a significant threat to human and animal health in the future. Thus, it is an important time to 

open the AHRC to initiate studies. 


The AHRC will serve as a multi-disciplinary platform to facilitate 

viral and bacterial EID, select agent research, and product development 

among investigators at UGA, from outside academic 

and public health institutions, as well as by private companies. 

Personnel affiliated with the AHRC will consist of veterinarians, 

virologists, bacteriologists, immunologists, cell biologists, 

biochemists, pharmacists, physicists, chemists, epidemiologists, 

statisticians, graduate students and laboratory technologists from 

UGA, as well as adjunct faculty and collaborators from neighboring 

organizations. The purpose of the AHRC will be to draw on 

UGA’s strengths, commitments and resources to create a worldclass 

research organization for disease intervention strategies, 

provide a means to capture extramural funding opportunities, 

facilitate collaborations that lead to new program projects, grants, 

and contracts, and provide a conduit for development of small 

businesses from the research findings. Furthermore, development 

of AHRC research programs will provide unparalleled expertise 

and facilities, and position UGA to take a leadership role in this 

critically important public health area. 

A Plethora of Opportunities 

• The AHRC will assist investigators working on the national public health agenda which is to expand research on the biology, 

diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention of diseases caused by infectious organisms. The emergence and reemergence of infec 

tious diseases in animals and man (zoonoses) indicates this agenda will continue into the foreseeable future. 

• Increases are expected in extramural research support for all academic units that use this facility. 

• The AHRC will expand capabilities for ongoing work at the University of Georgia including research on SARS, avian influenza, 

avian Newcastle, West Nile virus, tuberculosis, glanders, tularemia, botulism, encephalitic viruses, and other pathogens of public 

health importance. 

• The prospect of working in this facility is attracting infectious disease researchers of the highest quality. 

• The AHRC has unique capabilities to support research on agricultural diseases and to provide emergency response capabilities for 

foreign animal disease outbreaks such as exotic Newcastle disease of poultry and foot and mouth disease of hoofed animals. 

• The extramural dollar flow generated by research in the AHRC will augment Georgia’s economy at local and state levels. 

• The research in this facility will result in new, commercialized biological products such as diagnostic reagents, vaccines, and 

drugs. For instance, one of the largest generators of royalty income to the University is a drug for the treatment of dry-eye 

disease that was created through research at the College of Veterinary Medicine. We expect these sorts of contributions to expand 

through research conducted at the AHRC. 

• A primary focus of the programs in the AHRC will be the training of scientists and forging of industrial collaborations for the dissemination 

of laboratory research. The program already has in place agreements for research and exchange with 19 industrial 

partners that include Merck-Merial, Numico Research, Pty., Dharmacon, Nomadics, Protiva, Trellis Bio, Ventria, Virax, MedIm 

mune, Aerovectrx, Sporian, Smithfield Foods, Protiva, nGimat, Millennium, Lentigen,, BD Biosciences, Creare, and 

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. 

• The AHRC will facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among regional biomedical research institutions. As a direct result of 

the AHRC, the following relationships have evolved: the College is one of the initiating partners in the Southeast Center 

for Emerging Biological Threats; research ties with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are increasing; 

UGA is affiliated with the Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Disease Research; 

and collaborations are increasing with the USDA/ARS Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory. 

• The AHRC will be a critical resource for a direct response against bioterrorism and other emergencies involving 

infectious organisms. 

• Researchers at the College are involved in the development of novel vaccines and therapies against diseases of state and national 

importance, namely tuberculosis, SARS, avian influenza, RSV and glanders. The AHRC is essential for this to occur. 

VMES 2006 5

Bacterial and 

Parasitic Diseases 

Clinical Investigation of Poultry Diseases 

Two studies were completed under this project. The first was to determine is there is a potential interaction between turkey coronavirus 

and reticuloendotheliosis virus. The objective of this experiment was to co-infect SPF turkeys with turkey coronavirus and reticuloendotheliosis 

virus obtained from field cases to determine if there is a potential interaction between the two. Body weights of the 

experimental groups were compared to controls to determine weight reduction after infection. The digestive tract and immune system 

tissues were examined microscopically for lesions. RT- PCR was performed on intestinal contents of individual turkeys to detect the 

presence of TCV RNA and to assess virus persistence in the gut. Virus isolation was performed from plasma to demonstrate viremia 

induced by REV. The combination REV-infected and TCoV-infected birds suffered more severe weight depression than the control 

birds or the birds infected with REV or TCoV alone. Viral persistence in the gut was variable. 

The second study involved the investigation of alternative routes (oral, eye drop or wing web) of vaccination in poultry. Broiler breeder 

pullet vaccination for fowl cholera via wing web route is costly due to labor and can result in stress and injuries to vaccinated birds. 

Pullets vaccinated with live vaccine by wing web route also risk acquiring the disease contributing to joint problems, morbidity, and 

death. Therefore in 2004, in an effort to investigate alternative routes of vaccination, Bruzual et. al, evaluated the use of a commercial 

Pasteurella multocida PM-1 vaccine administered by the drinking water in broiler breeder pullets versus administration by wing web. 

It was concluded that there was no protection by administration of a 6X dose of PM-1 orally in pullets whereas those given the vaccine 

by the w.w. route were protected. In this investigation, oral, eye drop, and wing web vaccination will be evaluated using the less attenuated 

CU (Clemson University) strain of Pasteurella multocida. Both post-vaccination mortality and post-challenge mortality after 

inoculation with a highly virulent serotype 1 Pasteurella multocida will be compared between treatment groups vaccinated orally, by 

eye drop, and via wing web with the CU strain and a group vaccinated with a commercial PM-1 strain via wing web application.

During the first trial, it was concluded that CU vaccine at commercial titer levels would not provide protection in birds vaccinated 

orally or by eyedrop. In the second trial, it was concluded that there was an improvement in the amount of protection from eyedrop 

administration of CU vaccine (54% protection), however, the vaccine administered was contaminated and therefore, the exact titer 

level that provided that protection could not be determined. 

PI: Dr. Charles Hofacre (chofacre@uga.edu) 

CO-PI: Dr. Guillermo Zavala and Dr. Stephen Collett 

A molecular ecology approach for the design of 

effective probiotic formulations 

The goal of this project was to use an ecological approach to 

create a strategy for identifying and utilizing putative probiotic 

strains. The central hypothesis is that by assessing the development 

of the bacterial community structure of the small intestine 

we can identify relevant symbiotic bacteria that may improve 

intestinal health and feed conversion. 

Objective 1. Identify and isolate candidate probiotic strains of 

Lactobacillus and avian-specific anaerobes from the bacterial 

community of healthy broiler chickens. 

Objective 2. Characterize the development of the small intestinal 

bacterial community resulting from oral administration of 

candidate probiotic formulations. 

We performed several culture-based isolations of avian anaerobes from the ileum of broiler chickens in order to isolate clostridial 

species related to clusters IV, XI and XIV. We had detected the 16S rDNA sequences of these species from birds fed growth-promotants 

and in a commercial probiotic and had hypothesized that they may function as potential intestinal symbionts. The bacteria were 

cultured on 3 different media (blood agar, reinforced clostridium medium, and Wilkins-Chalgren agar) and incubated under several 

different atmospheres (80% nitrogen/20% CO2 or 100%CO2). Individual colonies were subcultured and characterized by 16S rDNA 

sequencing in order to determine their identity. 

We detected bacterial species such as lactobacilli, enterococci, and cluster I clostridia. We also cultured an isolate with high similarity 

to Clostridium bifermentens, cluster XI. We did not detect isolates with similarity to clusters IV and XIV although we DNA-sequenced 

nearly 100 isolates. 

During these studies we identified several significant hurdles to screening the bacterial isolates that would also affect the distribution 

of bacteria detected from the cultures. The most significant hurdle was the logistical challenge of performing the cultures and subcultures 

in a timely manner. We couldn’t always access the anaerobe chambers in Dr. Whitman’s lab when we needed them because of 

the number of people performing studies at the same time. We found that some cultures did not grow upon subculture, probably due 

to the extended time of incubation. We tended to isolate sporeforming clostridia (such as Clostridium sporogenes cluster I) because 

these organisms are very hardy. We attempted to perform cultivations at night and on weekends, when the chambers were more available, 

and discovered that the growth conditions were not as optimal as we had hoped. 

PI: Dr. Margie Lee ( leem@vet.uga.edu ) 

CO-PI: Youngjae Cho, William Whitman 

VMES 2006 7

Development of a Culture-Independent Tool for Reporting Bacterial Growth Rate 

Bacterial growth rate is monitored by traditional techniques, and these methods have their limitations. As an alternative we can use 

the growth-rate dependent promoter, rRNA fused to the jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) to monitor bacterial cell growth. 

Our hypothesis is based on the growth-rate dependent nature of this promoter and direct correlation between bacteria growth rate 

and rRNA levels within bacterial cell. We developed a plasmid-borne GFP reporter fused to rRNA-promoter and demonstrated 

growth-rate dependence of our GFP reporter. However, the plasmid was not stably maintained without antibiotic pressure. We created 

a second GFP-reporter, using group II intron to specifically direct insertion of our GFP reporter into a universally conserved 

region of rRNA operon, and introduced it into Salmonella enterica Typhimurium. Our GFP reporter was stably maintained in the 

absence of antibiotic selection pressure. There was an inverse relationship between fluorescence and growth rate for our GFP-marked 

S. Typhimurium grown in complex media at 25C, 30C and 37C. Similar results were observed when bacterial cells were grown in 

different nutritional conditions, including egg white, defined minimal media with glucose or glycerol as carbon source, and nutrient 

rich, complex media. Fluorescence for cells grown in egg whites was low, comparable to signal produced in a nutrient-poor medium. 

Our new growth rate reporter can be theoretically introduced into any bacterial species, stably maintained, and report back 

the organism’s growth rate in vitro and in vivo. This is especially important in assessing the potential of foods, food processes and 

cooking/refrigeration temperatures to support microbial growth. 

Group II intron 

GFP 

rRNA 

Plasmid 

Intron inserts itself and GFP 

into targeted gene, rRNA 

chromosome 

Intron integration site 

GFP 

Slow growth rate, weak transcription 

Fast growth rate, strong transcription 

Jellyfish green fluorescent protein (GFP) for monitoring growth of pathogens like Salmonella in foods and animals. The promoterless 

GFP gene was cloned into a group II, self-splicing intron. This intron was re-engineered to identify sequence unique to rRNA 

gene in bacteria. The intron, borne on a plasmid, inserted itself and the GFP into the bacterial chromosome of Salmonella. When 

the bacteria are grown in nutrient poor media, they have a slow growth rate and this is manifested in weak transcription AND low 

fluorescence. Salmonella grown in rich media have a “fast” growth rate, which translates into strong transcription AND 

high fluorescence. 

PI: Dr. John J. Maurer (jmaurer@vet.uga.edu) 

Co-PI: Adriana A. Pedroso, Andrea P. Oliveira, Margie D. Lee, Marie Maier, Paulina Cruz-Venegas, Dana 

Cole, Susan Sanchez, and Charles Hofacre 


P. falciparum cytoadherence: Modulation of host cell function. 

Malaria is an enormous, global public health problem. A staggering 40% of the world’s population lives in areas where malaria 

transmission occurs, resulting annually in an estimated 500-600 million cases with 2.7 to 3.5 million deaths. The most severely 

affected are young children, pregnant women, and their unborn infants. Symptoms of severe malaria commonly include anemia, cerebral 

malaria (malaria-induced coma) and placental malaria (a condition where numerous parasite infected red blood cells are found 

in the placenta). It is significant that complications in the lung are commonly seen in association with these severe symptoms, and are 

considered an important contributor to malaria mortality. The malaria parasite is thought to induce tissue damage in organs through 

the ability of parasite-infected red blood cells to bind to endothelial cells lining the circulatory system. While the parasite proteins 

and host cell receptors that mediate this binding have been well-studied, relatively little is known about how this binding impacts the 

function of the bound endothelial cell. Our proposed investigation of the effects of this binding to endothelial cells has important 

implications for the disease process in severe syndromes such as cerebral malaria and acute respiratory distress. We believe that a 

detailed understanding of the effects of this binding will lead to novel drugs and vaccines that would disrupt the disease process. 

The long-range goal of our research is to understand how the binding of infected red blood cells to host endothelial cells contributes 

to severe disease. The objective of this application is to determine the responses of lung microvascular endothelial cells to the 

binding of malaria infected red blood cells. The central hypothesis for the proposed research is that signaling induced by binding 

of malaria-infected red blood cells will have a profound and specific effect on these microvascular endothelial cells. Preliminary 

work in an in vitro system that we have developed has demonstrated that binding of infected red blood cells to placental cells leads 

to modification of several proteins in the host cells. The expression of genes which encode immune factors is also increased, and a 

specific immune factor, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, is specifically secreted in a time-dependent manner. The rationale 

for the proposed research is that several of the endothelial cell receptors bound by malaria binding proteins function in initiating 

cell signaling events. Thus, it is likely that binding of infected red blood cells activates signaling pathways within these endothelial 

cells resulting in changes in gene expression. This could then serve to favorably modify the local environment for parasite survival, 

manipulate the host immune response, and in the case of lung endothelium directly affect barrier function. 

PI: David Peterson (Peterson@vet.uga.edu) 

VMES 2006 9

Isolation of mycobacteriophage that target Mycobacterium aviun ssp. paratuberculosis 

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map), the causative agent of Johne’s disease in cattle, is an emerging pathogen. Johne’s 

disease is a progressive disease that becomes evident 2-5 years after a Map infection of the intestinal ileum primarily in calves in 

the first year of life. Following infection, Map spreads throughout the infected organ causing chronic inflammation and scarring of the 

tissue. The disease manifests itself in the form of progressively more severe diarrhea and wasting until the death of the animal. Map is 

shed in the manure and contaminates the udders of cattle, which can lead to infection of suckling calves or contamination of milk fed 

to calves. As pathogenic mycobacterial infections require administration of multiple antibiotics for prolonged periods (years), this is 

not an economically viable option for the cattle industry. Various vaccines have been produced; however, each offers only partial protection. 

Moreover, vaccination often results in positive antibody tests for Map or M. bovis. Therefore, a critical need exists to develop 

alternate approaches to stem the transmission of Map. 

The goal of this proposal was to isolate phages (viruses that only infect bacteria) that target mycobacteria (mycobacteriophages), 

specifically Map. The long-term goal of this research is to develop the mycobacteriophages into an intervention strategy to prevent 

transmission of Johne’s disease. Soil and manure samples from various Johne’s positive farms in the state of Georgia were examined. 

These included both beef and dairy operations. 

A screen for identification of mycobacteriophages was developed. Basically, samples are suspended in buffer and subjected to a series 

of filtration steps to sequentially remove large debris, intermediate-sized debris, and finally bacteria, leaving submicroscopic particles 

that include any mycobacteriophages present. The resulting filtrates are spotted onto Petri dishes containing rapidly-growing, nonpathogenic, 

Mycobacterium smegmatis in soft agar. This enables the mycobacteriophages to infect the bacteria, replicate inside and 

lyse the bacteria, and spread to adjacent bacteria. Bacteriophages produce small zones of clearing (plaques) among the smooth bacterial 

“lawn”. 

Based on differences in plaque morphologies, at least three different mycobacteriophages were isolated. The mycobacteriophages 

were tested for the ability to form plaques on the slow-growing, pathogenic Johne’s bacillus. One of the mycobacteriophages does 

indeed generate plaques on Map. Efforts are underway to study the Map-infecting mycobacteriophage. By deleting the region of the 

mycobacteriophage DNA that under some conditions prevents the phage genes from being expressed inside the host, we anticipate 

that the modified phage will only grow uncontrollably upon entering Map resulting in bacterial lysis every time. Farm soil and manure 

samples are continuing to be screened for additional mycobacteriophages that target Map. By combining different mycobacteriophages 

to treat Map contamination, it is more likely to produce sterilizing effects due to reduced likelihood that the bacteria will be able to 

mutate multiple surfaces to evade attack by mycobacteriophages that attach and infect through different receptors on the Map. 

This research demonstrates that mycobacteriophages can be isolated from Georgia Johne’s positive farms. These mycobacteriophages 

have potential to be developed into an antibiotic-free intervention strategy to be used to help halt the spread of Johne’s disease. 

PI: Russell Karls, PhD (rkarls@vet.uga.edu) 

Co PI: Mel Pence, DVM MS PAS Diplomate 


Staphylococci in companion animals and characterization of virulence factors 

The global rise in antibiotic resistance in both human and animal bacterial pathogens is reflected in the epidemic spread of clonal 

clusters of S. aureus possessing multidrug-resistance, methicillin resistance, and more recently, vancomycin resistance. There is some 

evidence that the same phenomenon may be occurring in animal-associated Staphylococcus species, and this prompts concern regarding 

treatment failure of the severe bacterial infections that both human-associated and animal-associated Staphylococcus species cause 

in companion animals. In a recent review of the literature, the evolutionary development of human Methicillin Resistant S. aureus 

(MRSA) strains was hypothesized to have occurred via frequent horizontal transfers of virulence gene clusters, resulting in five global 

clonal clusters of MRSA that arose independently. It is not known how animal-associated MRSA and Methicillin susceptible S. aureus 

(MSSA) may be related to these human epidemic clonal clusters, or if the prevalence and types of toxin and super-antigen genes is 

similar. Additionally, it is not known if the frequency of carriage and types of toxin and super-antigen genes in other animal-associated 

Staphylococcus species is similar to those Staphylococci commonly causing disease in humans. The objectives of this proposal 

was to examine the genetics of Staphylococci species affecting companion animals in the state of Georgia, and determine the carriage 

of selected virulence genes (toxins, superantigens) which are known to contribute to the severity of disease caused by these organisms. 

As well as, to examine the genetic relatedness and carriage of virulence genes of S. aureus isolates from companion animals with 

those causing disease in humans. The central hypothesis of this project is that the S. aureus isolates from animal disease are of human 

origin (reverse zoonosis), and carriage of certain virulence genes contributes to severity of disease seen in companion animals. Thirty 

nine MSSA as well as 10 MRSA canine isolates were included in the study. Rep-PCR was use to create a fingerprint for each isolate 

and generate a dendrogram. Standard format PCR was used to determine the presence of eight different super-antigen genes eta, etb, 

sea, seb, sec, sed and see. Twenty four bacterial isolates were also tested for the presence of seg, she, sei and sej. Our studies show that 

S. aureus isolated from dogs are a genetically very diverse group and not related to the most common MRSA clones isolated in the 

US. The super-antigen gene distribution in MSSA was as follows 0% sea, 8.3% seb, 4.2% sec, 0% sed, 0% see, 4.8% seg, 23.8% seh, 

17.4% sei, 13% sej, 16.7% tsst-1, 0% eta, and 0% etb. The distribution of super-antigens in MRSA is as follows 0% sea, 10% seb, 0% 

sec, 70% sed, 0% see, 0% eta, and 0% etb. Super-antigen gene carriage seems to be different between MSSA and MRSA with a high 

prevalence of sed and no sec in MRSA. Further work needs to be carried out to understand the genetic link between mecA and some 

super antigens i.e.: sed. The undergraduate student working on this project will be presenting this work at the next CURO symposium 

and ASM. 

PI: S. Sanchez (ssanchez@vet.uga.edu) 

CoI: Mimi Healy and Brooke Wheeler 

Abortifacient potential of eastern tent caterpillar 

in domestic goats 

Late instar Eastern tent caterpillar (ETC, Malacosoma americanum), 

were administered at the dose of 50g/day by oral gavage 

to six late term pregnant goats until they aborted or for 10 days. 

Late instar autoclaved Eastern tent caterpillar were administered 

to six late term pregnant goats which served as negative controls. 

No abortions were observed in the test and control groups. 

All animals were euthanized at 5-10 days post administration of 

the last dose. No significant gross findings were observed during 

necropsy. No significant alterations in blood chemistry and 

complete blood counts were observed except for few animals 

having mild eosinophilia. Histopathological examination of the 

tissues showed multiple granulomas in the abomasum and intestinal 

tract of both control and test group animals with setae (hair 

of ETC) in the center of these granulomas. Similar granulomas 

with setae were observed in rat GI tract and no abortions were 

observed in rats. The experiment indicate that ETC or its setae 

as such cannot induce abortions in pregnant goats and abortifacient 

potential of ETC is species specific, similar to the findings 

in pregnant mice and rats in which no abortions were observed. 

PI: M. M. Sebastian (msebasti@uga.edu) 

CoI: ME. Pence, ME. Hines II, and C. Watson 

VMES 2006 11

Diagnostic 

Science 

Identification of immunodominant proteins in Mycobacterium 

avium ssp. paratuberculosis using proteomics. 

Johne’s disease (JD) caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis 

(MAP) is an economically significant animal health problem that results 

in an annual economic loss of ~220 million dollars per year to the dairy cattle 

industry in USA. This agent is also implicated as an etiology of Crohn’s Disease 

in human beings. Control and eradication of JD has been hampered by 

the lack of rapid and unambiguous diagnostic tests. Currently used diagnostic 

methods such as ELISA and culture have variable levels of sensitivity and 

specificity and do not allow early diagnosis of this disease. The Scientists at 

Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, Tifton are constantly 

striving to advance the methods for diagnosis and prevention of JD. Currently we are approved by National Veterinary Services Laboratory 

for MAP culture and serology. We actively participate in Georgia’s JD demonstration herd programs and voluntary JD control 

programs. We use an automated broth culture system (ESP para JEM system by Trek Diagnostics) to culture MAP and confirmation 

is done by Polymerase Chain Reaction. This method offers faster (6 weeks vs. 16 weeks with the conventional methodology) and accurate 

detection of MAP from clinical samples. The VDIL is equipped to culture 6700 samples per year. We are constantly striving to 

develop faster, cost effective and sensitive method to diagnose true infection status of an animal. We are concentrating on identifying 

immunodominant antigens present in MAP by proteomic technology. Identified antigens will be used for developing antibody based 

diagnostic assays such as ELISA, Dot blot, and Western blot. We have made considerable improvements in optimizing the detection of 

immunodominant antigens in MAP. Other projects at VDIL include development of vaccines to prevent JD, development of improved 

procedures for organism and antibody detection. Our long-term goal is to develop rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic tests and vaccines 

which will facilitate the control of this chronic and problematic disease in cattle. 

PI: Sreekumari Rajeev (srajeev@uga.edu) 

Diagnostic Detection, Isolation, and 

Characterization of Avian Viruses 

The mission of the diagnostic virology laboratory is to provide accurate and timely diagnostic virology services for the U.S. poultry 

industry, conduct applied research on current avian disease isolates from the field, and improve detection and isolation methods for 

monitoring avian viruses. The diagnostic virology laboratory provides a vital function in the overall services offered by the diagnostic 

facility at the PDRC. During 2005-2006, the diagnostic virology isolated 175 viruses. No virus was isolated from 81 samples. Two 

hundred and seventy whole blood samples were submitted for leukosis virus isolation with subsequent LL antigen capture ELISA. 

Seventy six serum samples were submitted for virus neutralization assays. 

PI: Dr. Holly Sellers (hsellers@uga.edu) 

Co-PI: E. Linneman 

Investigation of Natural Disease Outbreaks 

The major activity of this project is to provide clinical diagnostic support for the commercial poultry industry of Georgia. This is 

accomplished through the application of field investigation acquisition of flock and farm histories, application of analytical, microbiological, 

histopathological testing using classical and molecular methods. 

Activity is represented by farm visits by Faculty and students. Clinical investigations may include disease outbreaks, farm management 

problems, hatchery and feed mill issues, or problems associated with condemnations at processing. Extensive serology test, 

bacterial, virus, or Mycoplasma isolation and PCR test often reveals a particular disease agent as a causative agent mismanagement, 


equipment failures, vaccination failures or other issues. Modification of current practices often brings the problem under control. The 

professional staff and students often investigate more long term problems on farms within the region. These are typically multi-faceted 

problems. Many times these are assigned as student projects under direct supervision of a clinician. These investigations bring recommendations 

and changes in vaccination programs and management practices which allow that grower to become competitive again. 

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique continues to permit generation of more useful and timely information often in hours 

rather than days or weeks using classical diagnostic techniques for many viral and bacterial agents as well as the Mycoplasmas. Specifically 

avian leukosis virus-J, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, infectious bursal disease virus, avian adenovirus, Newcastle disease 

virus, avian pneumovirus, avian influenza virus, avian astrovirus, chicken anemia virus and turkey coronavirus PCRs are available and 

provide useful and very timely diagnostic information. PCR testing capability now includes Salmonella serotyping for the more common 

serotypes of Salmonella. Research continues and new PCR tests will be applied to diagnostics as applications are developed. 

The Diagnostic Services/Teaching Lab has completed conversion of the lab and accounting system to MS SQL compliance. The integrated 

accounting system (AccPac) has been upgraded to a SQL version and a web site for delivery of lab reports and for data analysis 

of client serological data is underway. We will be including an e-business capability on the web site for accessioning cases, scheduling 

delivery service pickup and accepting credit card payment for services. In addition clients will be able to check case and account via a 

secure web site. We are about to allow client access for testing purposes. 

Diagnostic Services/Teaching Laboratory activity is represented by 9,154 accessions, 33,170 bacterial procedures, 91 antimicrobial 

susceptibilities, 143,564 ELISA tests , 46,569 IBV-HI tests, 196, 459 total serological tests, 2,687 diagnostic PCR tests, 6,439 histopathology 

slides, and 1,267 necropsies. 

PIs: Stephan G. Thayer (sthayer@uga.edu) 

Co-PIs: J.R. Glisson, S.H. Kleven, C. L. Hofacre, S. Collett, G. Zavala, P. Villegas, M.W. Jackwood, M.D. 

Lee, J.J. Maurer, M. Garcia, and H.S. Sellers, and S.M. Williams 

Diagnostic Avian Mycoplasmosis 

This project consists of diagnostic activity for avian mycoplasmas, including mycoplasma isolation and identification, HI tests, and 

fingerprinting of isolates or specimens by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis or by sequencing DNA PCR products 

from the mgc2 PCR for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) or the vlhA PCR for Mycoplasma synoviae (MS). We also conduct 

PCR tests for Mycoplasma iowae. In addition, we provided MG and MS sera for test kits distributed among various laboratories in 

the U.S. Our lab is the de facto reference laboratory for avian mycoplasma diagnosis in the U.S.A. We also consult by person and by 

telephone regarding field problems with mycoplasma diagnosis or control. 

In 2005 we conducted 3148 diagnostic cultures for mycoplasmas, 4693 HI tests for MG, 5488 HI tests for MS, and 645 HI tests for 

MM, in addition to RAPD analysis from 151 cases and mgc2 and vlhA. 

PI: Dr. S. H. Kleven (skleven@uga.edu ) 

Co-PI: V. Leiting 

Development of Monoclonal Antibodies as Diagnostic Reagent for Reticuloendotheliosis Virus 

The primary objective of this research was to develop antibodies against reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) with the intention of using 

them as a diagnostic reagent. Our laboratory isolated multiple field REVs, sequenced several of them partially, and also resolved the 

full genome sequence of one such field isolate. The entire gag gene was PCR-amplified and cloned into a suitable vector but expression 

was unsuccessful. As an alternative method, the gag region coding for the CA protein known as p30 was also cloned into an 

expression vector. This protein was successfully expressed but efficiency of expression was extremely poor and inconsistent as determined 

in Western blots. Meanwhile, polyclonal antibodies against p30 were used successfully in indirect immunofluorescence assays 

(IFA) in infected cells in culture. IFA was useful, and relatively efficient and practical, albeit not very sensitive. We are still attempting 

expression of gag and p30 specifically, but have considered changing our strategy to use a baculovirus expression system, still with the 

ultimate goal of developing monoclonal antibodies vs. p30 in REV. 

PI: Guillermo Zavala (gzavala@uga.edu) 

Co-PI: Sunny Cheng and Taylor Barbosa 

VMES 2006 13

Biomedical 

Science 

Altering semen extender and glycerol concentration to optimize results after cryopreservation of 

equine spermatozoa 

After cryopreservation, spermatozoa from many stallions may have a lower capacity to fertilize an oocyte than fresh or cooled semen. 

The aim of this study was to evaluate a standard panel of semen extenders and varied concentrations of the cryoprotective 

agent (glycerol) to optimize sperm survival rates after cryopreservation. Semen was collected from Quarter Horse stallions (n=3) 

from March to May 2006 (6 collections per stallion). Semen was filtered immediately after collection and sample volume and sperm 

concentration were measured. A drop of raw semen was placed on two prewarmed slides to estimate the percentage of progressively 

motile sperm. The semen sample was then diluted to 100 x 106 spermatozoa/ml with a dried skim milk glucose extender (EZ Mixin 

Original Formula, ARS, Chino, CA) or a chemically defined, milk-free diluent (INRA 96, IMV, Maple Grove, MN). After 1 h slow 

cooling and equilibration to 4°C, semen samples were centrifuged for 10 min at 400xg. A defined volume of supernatant was removed, 

so that a concentration of 1000 x 106 spermatozoa/ml was obtained after resuspension of the sperm pellet. 150 µl of semen was then 

added to the same semen extender used after semen collection and cryopreservation medium (Cryoguard, Minitube, Verona, WI) to 

obtain a final glycerol concentration of 2, 3 and 4%, respectively. This also gave a concentration of 100 x 106 spermatozoa/ml. After 

equilibrating samples for 1 h at 4°C, spermatozoa were loaded into 0.5 ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. After 10 min, 

straws were plunged into liquid nitrogen. Semen was thawed at 37°C for 30 sec and evaluated as prior to cryopreservation. Mean total 

semen volumes were 56, 11, and 60 ml in the 3 stallions. Their respective mean sperm concentrations were 124 x 106, 505 x 106 and 

161 x 106 sperm/ml. Mean percentages of progressively motile sperm prior to cryopreservation were 64, 89 and 72%. With the paired 

Students t-test, percentages of progressively motile sperm after cryopreservation were evaluated with respect to semen extender and 

concentration of glycerol used. Mean overall progressive motility of spermatozoa after cryopreservation differed significantly between 

the two extenders and was 46% for INRA 96 and 35% for EZ Mixin OF (p < 0.001). Using EZ Mixin OF as semen extender, best 

mean post thaw progressive motility was achieved with 4% glycerol (39%) and differed significantly from 2% glycerol (32%; p

Wound management of the distal limb in the horse using topically applied esterified hyaluronic acid 

Wounds to the distal limb are commonly encountered in equine practice. The severity of the wound and paucity of available skin 

most often preclude primary suture closure of these wounds, leaving healing by second intention as the only available treatment. 

Unfortunately second intention healing of wounds of the distal limbs of horses is almost always complicated by the development of 

excessive granulation tissue, leading to prolonged convalescence, loss of athletic ability, inferior cosmesis, increased morbidity, and 

increased expense and frustration to the horse owner. 

Wound healing is largely regulated through a multitude of transforming growth factors (TGF-β 1 and 3) released from cells in response 

to injury. These factors in turn alter the expression of enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor 

of metalloproteinase (TIMP) which regulate collagen synthesis and degradation. 

Exogenous hyaluronan (HA), a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan has been used extensively for intra-articular treatment of synovitis 

and degenerative joint disease, adhesiolysis and adhesion prevention, and various intra-ocular conditions. More recently, hyaluronan 

has been shown to significantly increase the rate and quality of wound healing in people. The exact mechanism by which hyaluronan 

enhances wound healing is not clear, but likely involves the regulation of cellular proliferation and signaling 

Samples taken, at regular intervals from the equine lower limb, following topical 

application of an esterified hyaluronic acid (Hyalofill) are currently being 

processed. Preliminary results assessing the effect that topical hyaluronic acid 

might have on the rate of closure of a wound through contraction and epithelialisation 

do not show an appreciable difference to the control situation. 

Histological evaluation of the influence that topical hyaluronic acid has on 

rate of blood vessel ingrowth (angiogensesis) and degree of inflammatory 

response is underway. Immunocytochemical determination of the concentrations 

of the growth factor TNFα and in situ hybridization techniques assessing 

TGF-β 3 and Collagen III levels is also being performed. Looking at these 

factors will give some indication as to how the topical product influences the 

wound environment. In collaboration with the Department of Pharmacology 

and Toxicology at the School of Veterinary Medicine, in Hannover, Germany, 

frozen tissue samples are also being run in order to determine levels of the 

aforementioned MMPs. 

While it appears that, under the conditions of this study and using the esterified 

hyaluronic acid product, there might be no immediate indication for its 

use alone, in promoting wound healing, the results of the study will provide 

valuable baseline information on the safety of this product for use in horses. 

This product has been used as a vehicle in a plethora of recent studies in the 

human field. It has proven valuable in providing a matrix for deposition of 

keratinocytes, osteblasts, chondrocytes, mesenchymal stem cells and hepatocytes 

at specified target locations. Similar indications may warrant its future 

use in equine medicine. 

PI: PO Eric Mueller (emueller@vet.uga.edu) 

CoI: 1. Stefan Witte, 2. Randy Eggleston, 3. Jaroslava Halper 

VMES 2006 15

Therapeutics 

and Immunology 

Development of novel antiviral drugs: inhibition of avian influenza by RNAi 

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a major threat to the United States poultry industry. In 1983, a major outbreak of HPAI 

in the U.S. caused the destruction of more than 17 million birds at a cost of $65 million. More than 16 outbreaks of potential HPAI 

strains have occurred in the U.S. since 1997. Quarantine and depopulation are the preferred means for control of outbreaks and new 

methods for protection of poultry flocks are needed. Moreover, several instances of human infection with HPAI have been reported, 

most likely caused by contact with infected poultry. If HPAI were to emerge as even a moderate pandemic strain, more that 200,000 

persons could die in the United States alone and the economic cost could exceed $100 billion. Currently, there is not a vaccine available 

and antiviral drugs are partially effective. 

RNA interference (RNAi) is an emerging technology that can specifically inhibit gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. Gene 

silencing is the result of sequence-specific RNA degradation and is mediated by short, 21-26 nucleotide interfering RNAs (siRNAs). A 

number of studies have demonstrated inhibition of replication of viruses in cell culture by RNAi. Using an established murine model 

of influenza virus infection, we have demonstrated that in vivo treatment with virus-specific siRNAs can effectively suppress influenza 

virus replication and protect animals from an otherwise lethal infection. 

We have screened more than 100 candidate siRNAs for efficacy in inhibiting influenza virus replication and have identified a handful 

of candidates that silence a variety of gene targets, including the nucleoprotein, matrix, and polymerase genes of influenza. These 

siRNAs target highly conserved regions of the genome and should inhibit most influenza viruses, including low pathogenic and highly 

pathogenic avian influenza viruses. We found that the candidate siRNAs identified in the primary screen inhibited all influenza viruses 

tested, to date. Future studies focus on testing lead candidates for efficacy against HPAI in culture and testing for efficacy in animal 

challenge models. Candidate siRNAs from these screens could be developed as a novel therapeutics and prophylactics for poultry 

flocks and workers to protect against HPAI infection. 

PI: S. Mark Tompkins 

The Effect of Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) challenge at the onset of lay, on performance of table egg layers 

and typing of MS and M. Gallisepticum (MG) isolates from field cases. 

This project was initiated because of concerns that in many cases seroconversion for MS appeared to be delayed, thereby complicating 

the early detection of outbreaks. The objectives were as follows: 

1. To determine if delayed or negative serological responses to MS by agglutination, HI, or ELISA can be reproduced by upper respiratory 

tract challenge with very low numbers of organisms, or if there is something unique about MS strains which have been isolated 

from flocks exhibiting poor seroconversion. 

2. To determine, in such cases, whether ELISA or HI testing can be relied upon as screening serological tests to substitute for agglutination, 

or if such monitoring will need to be conducted by PCR and/or culture. 

3. To fully characterize, by DNA fingerprinting, virulence and antigenic differences, such field isolates found to be atypical or unique 

with regard to poor serological responses. 

Chickens were challenged by intratracheal administration of 10-fold dilutions of two challenge organisms (F10-2AS, a commonly 

used challenge strain, and K5664, an isolate from a field case with atypical serological results) to determine if low challenge doses 

readily infect chickens and if they seroconvert normally. There were 10 principals and 2 contact controls per group, and there was 

one group of unchallenged controls. Chickens were sampled weekly until 8 weeks post challenge and tested by culture, serum plate 

agglutination, HI (with standard WVU 1853 antigen, and antigens prepared from F10-2AS, and K5664), and IDEXX and Synbiotics 

ELISA. The results can be summarized as follows. 


1. Challenge with as few as 76 color change 

units (ccu) of K5664 and 24 ccu of F10-2AS 

readily infected chickens – the majority were 

culture positive at 7 days post-challenge. 

2. Infection spread readily to the in-contact 

controls. With F10-2AS, contact controls were 

positive by culture by 1 week post-challenge, and 

with K5664, they were positive by 2 weeks 

post-challenge. 

3. The unchallenged controls remained negative 

by culture throughout the study, even though 

they were maintained in floor pens in the same 

house as the challenged groups. There were 2 

empty pens between the controls and an 

infected group. 

4. All groups of challenged chickens responded 

normally by all serological tests. Groups with 

the lowest challenge groups seroconverted about 

1 week behind all of the other groups, but then 

developed a normal serological response. 

5. Antigenic differences among strains were clearly detected by using homologous and heterologous HI antigens. The homologous 

antigen generally detected an earlier and stronger antibody response than did the heterologous antigens. Nevertheless, all HI antigens 

detected a positive antibody response. 

6. All serological tests exhibited adequate sensitivity and specificity. The groups challenged with the lowest numbers of organisms 

generally had a weaker antibody response with the IDEXX ELISA kits than with the Synbiotics kits with the lowest challenge levels 

with both strains. 

7. There was no evidence that strain K5664 induces an atypical antibody response. 

To summarize, chickens were readily infected with very low challenge doses of MS, and seroconversion was delayed only about a 

week in those groups. We do not consider this to be abnormally slow. Infection spread readily to contact controls, but unchallenged 

controls in the same house remained uninfected, suggesting rapid transmission by contact, but no evidence of infection by aerosol. 

Only the IDEXX ELISA kits were insensitive in detecting antibody with the lowest challenge doses. There was evidence of serological 

variability among strains with the HI test, but not to the extent that HI antigens made by any of the strains tested would have been 

inadequate in detecting seroconversion. 

PI: Dr. S.H. Kleven (skleven@uga.edu) 

C0-PI: Dr. Ziv Raviv and Naola Ferguson 

VMES 2006 17

Virology 

Cellular activation induced by FIV vaccine strain viruses 

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) naturally infects cats causing AIDS similar to that 

induced by HIV in humans. Critical to development of an effective commercial FIV vaccine 

was the identification of which FIV viruses to include in the vaccine; however, the mechanisms 

underlying why certain FIV isolates could be used to make a protective vaccine while 

others could not are not well understood. The central hypothesis for these studies was that 

strains of FIV that are effective vaccine immunogens induce characteristic patterns of cellular 

activation in feline T-cells. 

The specific aim was to identify unique cellular transcription factor activation patterns for FIV 

vaccine isolates. The experimental approach characterized virus-induced changes in transcription 

factor activation profiles, using a feline T-lymphocyte cell line inoculated with different 

FIV isolates, including those used in the FIV vaccine. In addition, the transcription factor 

activation profiles of FIV-infected cells treated with a protein known to enhance FIV replication 

were also determined. Transcription factor activation profiles were detected using protein/ 

DNA arrays that can simultaneously assess activation of multiple transcription factors. 

Our results indicate that variations in pathogenicity and ability to infect and replicate in 

cultured feline T-cells between FIV isolates is associated with differences in transcription 

factor activation. Further studies are currently underway to confirm and compare these differences. The results of these studies were 

used as preliminary data for several grant applications, including one that was submitted to the National Institute of Health, and will 

be included in a scientific paper that is currently in preparation. Future studies will build on these results in order to provide a better 

understanding of protective immunity against FIV. A better understanding of these mechanisms will improve our knowledge of AIDS 

pathogenesis and provide information important for development of diagnostic tests that can distinguish between vaccinated cats and 

those naturally infected with FIV- a major problem with the current antibody-based diagnostic FIV tests. 

PI: Elizabeth W. Uhl (euhl@vet.uga.edu) 

siRNA Molecules for Disease Intervention Against Poxviruses 

Poxviruses have been studied for more than 200 years. From the time of Edward Jenner’s pioneering vaccination experiments in 1796 

to the present, poxviruses that infect nearly every vertebrate animal on the planet, from crocodiles to humans, have been identified. In 

addition, smallpox was the first disease to be eradicated by man. 

While nearly 30 years have passed since smallpox was declared eradicated, poxviruses continue to plague both animals and man as a 

zoonotic pathogen. For example, in 2003, 71 people in the United States became infected with monkeypox virus after interaction with 

prairie dogs. Based on analyses of sera for poxvirus-specific antibodies, a wide variety of animals including rats, rabbits, prairie dogs, 

and squirrels may also be potential reservoirs of poxviruses. Given the potential impact on both animals of agricultural importance and 

human health, new treatments for acute poxvirus disease are needed. 

As a result of the termination of the smallpox vaccination program in 1972, approximately 42% of the current U.S. population has no 

immunity to poxviruses. Furthermore, there are no antiviral drugs approved by the F.D.A. or U.S.D.A. for the treatment of poxvirus 

infection in humans or animal. To bridge this unmet need, cutting-edge technology based on RNA interference (RNAi) was used as a 

therapeutic approach to inhibit poxvirus replication. RNAi is an evolutionarily conserved, gene-silencing mechanism in which small 

(19-23 nt) double-stranded RNA molecules, or small interfering RNAs (siRNA), target RNAs for destruction with exquisite potency 

and selectivity, causing gene silencing at the post-transcriptional stage before proteins can be made. 

Using DNA sequence information from a variety of different poxvirus genomes, 88 candidate siRNA molecules specific for 30 different 

poxvirus genes were designed and synthesized. The resulting siRNAs were tested for their abilities to inhibit the replication of both 


Vaccinia virus and Cowpox virus in vitro. siRNA molecules specific for 9 different viral genes were able to efficiently block poxvirus 

replication in vitro. These studies revealed that: 1) RNAi can be used to inhibit the replication of poxviruses, and 2) transfection of 

cells with siRNAs can dramatically reduce the ability of both Vaccinia virus and Cowpox virus to replicate. These data suggest that 

poxvirus-specific siRNAs may be useful for the treatment of animal and human infection, and can be used to identify viral genes that 

may be targets for other potentially useful therapies such as small molecule inhibitors. 

PI: Jeff Hogan (jhogan@vet.uga.edu) 

Production of polyclonal antibodies against ILTV glycoprotein E using Synthetic Peptides 

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is an alphaherpesvirus worldwide distributed and causes acute respiratory disease in chickens 

with high morbidity, decreased growth and egg production and causes moderate mortality. The herpesviruses have glycoproteins 

located on the viral envelop, which play essential roles in viral attachment, penetration, assembly and egress, and also in viral replication 

and cell-to-cell. Polyclonal antibodies against ILTV glycoproteins are an important tool to study ILTV the glycoproteins functions, 

as well as to detect viral replication and protein expression. This study describes the use of synthetic peptides to produce specific ILTV 

glycoprotein (gE) antibodies. A peptide of 18 amino acids was selected to immunize mice against generated polyclonal serum. The 

antibodies generated reacted with ILTV infected cells and gE transfected cells by immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and immunoblot assay. 

The gE peptide sequence showed to be useful to produce specific ILTV gE antibodies, which can be used to study the expression 

of this ILTV essential protein during in vitro propagation of the virus, and in vivo during different stages of infection. 

PIs: Ivomar Oldoni, Sylva Riblet and Maricarmen García (mcgarcia@uga.edu) 

Runting and Stunting (AV-111) 

In late 2004-present, broiler companies throughout the United States had increasing cases of a runting and stunting syndrome (RSS), 

particularly in the winter and spring. Currently, the few broiler companies in the Southeast that were spared encounters with RSS have 

reported severe outbreaks in several of their complexes. RSS is a transmissible disease affecting young broilers between 1-2 weeks of 

age. Most notably, RSS causes severe weight suppression during the first few weeks of age, lack of flock uniformity, diarrhea, distention 

of the intestines, and a significant increase in feed conversion. Cystic enteropathy is consistently observed by histopathological 

examination of small intestine samples from affected flocks. The economic effect of this disease hits both the broiler company and 

contract growers. Although descriptions of RSS date back to the 1970s, the etiologic agent(s) has yet to be identified. All evidence 

suggests this is a multifactorial disease. 

Virological studies conducted on RSS at PDRC over the past year have been aimed at isolating potential pathogens. The disease is 

reliably reproduced using filtered intestinal homogenates from clinically affected broilers, thus implying viral etiologic agents. In 

addition, our in vivo studies indicate that heat treatment does mitigate some of the affects of RSS. We have isolated and characterized 

many viruses from field cases of RSS. As expected, numerous virus isolates were of vaccine origin or not considered to play a 

role. However, novel reoviruses and chicken astroviruses were isolated and characterized. Molecular characterization of the S1 gene 

revealed novel reoviruses that are

Research 

Contracts & Grants 

Allen, Sheila. Core Animal Diagnostic Laboratory: NAHLN: GA. USDA-CSREES. $300,834 

Allen, Sheila. Section 1433 Animal Health and Disease Research Funds FY2006. USDA-CSREES. $102,880 

Allen, Sheila. Promoting cultural diversity in the veterinary workforce. USDA-CSREES. $120,000 

Baldwin, Charles. Diagnostic services relative to the control, diagnosis, treatment prevention, and eradication of livestock diseases 2004. Ga. Dept. 

of Agriculture. $2,160,738 

Barton, Michelle. Relative adrenal insufficiency in critically ill neonatal foals. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation. 

$9,485 

Blas-Machado, Uriel. Pathogenesis and virulence of a bovine enterovirus-1 isolate in cattle - year 2. USDA-CSREES. $15,000 

Brown, Corrie. Delivering training on necropsy procedues and coordinating national planning for animal health Afghanistan. USDA-FAS Foreign 

Ag. Serv. $13,202 

Brown, Corrie. USDA Research Support. USDA. $3,850 

Brown, Corrie. USDA Research Support. USDA. $15,450 

Brown, Corrie. Technical consultant animal health infrastructure Afghanistan, Standard Cooperative Agreement. USDA-APHIS. $7,784 

Brown, Corrie. Detection of key factors in the development of Fibropapillomas in sea turtles; Puerto Rico. Morris Animal Foundation. $28,620 

Brown, Corrie. Development of a histopath research platform at the research foundation in tropical diseases - Cameroon. Mectizan Donation 

Program. $37,180 

Budsberg, Steven. A placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy of a tachykinin receptor antagonist in a urate induced arthritis model. 

Boehringer Ingleheim. $198,929 

Budsberg, Steven. In vivo protocol for testing the effects of Firocoxib on whole blood, gastric mucosal and osteoarthritic synovial fluid prostaglandin 

and leukotriene. Merial Limited. $126,000 

Budsberg, Steven. The analgesic effects of EAA-129 (WAY-209129) and PLA-902 (WAY-195902) in a canine model of osteoarthritis. Fort Dodge 

Animal Health. $54,158 

Budsberg, Steven. Clinical efficacy and safety of an extended release formulation of tramadol HCl in dogs: a pilot trial. Farnam Companies, Inc. 

$71,492 

Budsberg, Steven. Cyclo-oxygnease selectivity of nosteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in feline blood. Merial Limited. $18,397 

Carmichael, Paige. Training in clinical ophthalmology and pathology. Graduate Assistantship support for Dr. Shannon Boveland. Tuskegee Univ. 

$28,675 

Coffield, Julie. Neuromuscular targets of botulinum toxin. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $349,600 

Corn, Joseph. The third reservoir of infection: M. paratuberculosis in the environment and protozoal amplification. USDA-APHIS. $75,183 

Corn, Joseph. Distribution of Pseudorabies virus and Brucella suis in feral swine. USDA-APHIS. $87,500 

Corn, Joseph. Exotic tick surveillance in the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico FY2005. USDA. $200,000 

Corn, Joseph. Exotic arthropod surveillance in the Southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico FY2006. USDA. $200,000 

Corn, Joseph. Pseudorabies virus and Brucella suis in transitional and feral swine. USDA-Veterinary Services. $25,000 

Dickerson, Harry. Clinical vaccine trail to test Tetrahymena as a protective vaccine against Ichthyophthirius in Koi: I. Vaccination. Tetragenetics, 

Inc. $10,000 

Dickerson, Harry. Clinical vaccine trail to test Tetrahymena as a protective vaccine against Ichthyophthirius in Koi: II. Immobilization. Tetragenetics, 

Inc. $7,500 

Dickerson, Harry. UGA 2006 Veterinary Scholars Program: A research training experience for veterinary students. Merck Merial Animal Health 

Grants Program. $20,400 

Dickerson, Harry. Emerging and re-emerging infectious disease residency/PhD program. Merial Limited. $240,000 

Dietrich, Ursula. Identification of ocular tissue MMPs within the aqueous humor outflow pathway in the canine eye. ACVO Vision for Animal 

Foundation. $3,000 

Ferguson, Naola M. Evaluation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccines in chickens. Fort Dodge Animal Health. $17,093 

Fischer, John. Wildlife services disease training. USDA-APHIS. $150,000 

Fischer, John. Cooperative agreement for development and evaluation of data relative to disease relationships that may simultaneously involve wildlife, 

domestic livestock and poultry. USDA-APHIS. $350,000 

Fischer, John. Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study. Fish and Wildlife Agencies. $182,280 

Fu, Zhen. Personnel training. Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences Ltd. $6,000 

Garcia, Maricarmen. Developing avian influenza serological tests for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Univ. of Maryland. 

$126,584 

Garcia, Maricarmen. Avian influenza virus H9N2: Characterization and control strategies. BARD - Binational Agric. Research and Dev. Fund. 

$50,000 

Halper, Jaroslava. Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis in horses. U.S. Equestrian Federation, Inc. $25,000 

Hernandez-Divers, Stephen. Investigation and characterization of shell lesions in free-ranging tortoises and freshwater turtles from National Wildlife 

Refuges. Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Vets. $3,000 

Hodge, Thomas. Identification of host genes required for viral pathogenesis, II. Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology. $287,500 

Hoenig, Margarethe. Nuclear magnetic resonance, a noninvasive method to evaluate glucose and fat metabolism in the cat. Nestle Purina, Inc. 

$30,125 


Hofacre, Charles. Anti-inflammtory effects of muscadine grape products on gastrointestinal diseases in chickens and rats. Paulk Vineyards/USDA. 

$96,500 

Hofacre, Charles. Reducing Salmonella prevalence in the processing plant by breaking vertical transmission through vaccination of affected broilerbreeder 

flocks. U.S. Poultry and Egg Assoc. $64,576 

Hogan, Robert J. Identification of Francisella tularensis-specivid human T cell epitopes. SECEBT. $49,997 

Hogan, Robert J. The influences of N- and O-linked glycosylation on the immunogenicity of the Ebola virus glycoprotein. Southern Research Institute. 

$311,322 

Hondalus, Mary K. Virulence of the opportunistic pathogen Rhodococcus equi. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $331,200 

Hondalus, Mary K. Needle-free vaccination via nanoparticle aerosols. Harvard University. $119,779 

Hurley, David. In vitro models of cellular level processes in the early pathogenesis of Black Walnut induced laminitis. American Quarter Horse Assoc. 

$62,814 

Jaso-Friedman, Liliana. A novel teleost pattern recognition receptor and its role in antimicrobial innate immunity. USDA-NRI. $300,000 

Kaplan, Ray. Sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. Fort Valley State University. $22,482 

Kaplan, Ray. Use of condensed tannin-containing plants to control gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats in the southern USA. Fort Valley 

State University. $50,000 

Kaplan, Ray. Maintenance of gastrointestinal nematodes for in vitro drug efficacy testing. Divergence, Inc. $2,996 

Keel, Kevin. Epizoology of latent and active duck plague virus infection in free-flying waterfowl. Morris Animal Foundation. $98,660 

King, Christopher. VCA: A monoclonal antibody toolkit for functional genomics of plant cell walls. NSF-National Science Foundation. $92,736 

Kleven, Stanley. Evaluation of potential live Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccines in chickens. Ghen Corporation. $83,588 

LeRoy, Bruce. Effect of deracoxib on the growth and metastasis of a canine prostate carcinoma xenograft. Novartis Animal Health. $60,852 

Maurer, John. A molecular approach for creating Haemophilus paragrallinarum vaccine strain thru site-directed mutagenesis. Fort Dodge Animal 

Health. $53,750 

McCall, John. Furnish Brugia malayi adult worms and/or Brugia malayi infective larvae. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $139,499 

McCall, John. Filariasis research reagent resource center. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $422,240 

McCall, John. Transfection and promoter analysis of Brugia malayi. Univ. of Alabama. $20,000 

Miller, Doris. BSE Surveillance. USDA-APHIS. $372,264 

Miller, Doris. Classical swine fever surveillance. USDA. $208,793 

Miller, Doris. Athens Diagnostic Laboratory. GA Dept. of Agriculture. $1,324,323 

Moore, James. Leukocyte activation in the developmental period of equine laminitis. Ohio State University. $133,820 

Murray, Thomas. Neurotoxins from marine algae and cyanobacteria. Scripps Institute of Oceanography. $150,970 

Murray, Thomas. Cellular activation induced by multivalent ligands. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $24,211 

Murray, Thomas. Inhibition of endotoxin with adenosine receptor agonists. Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. $40,792 

Pence, Melvin. Georgia Johne’s Disease Demonstration Herd Project. USDA. $60,664 

Pence, Melvin. Georgia Johne’s work plan for GJP FY05. GA Dept of Agriculture. $54,414 

Quinn, Fred. Crohn’s disease: Potential acquisition through pasteurized milk. Emory Univ. - SECEBT. $47,696 

Rawlings, Clarence. Comparison of carbon dioxide laser and 4 MHz radiofrequency for feline onychectomy: Histologic comparison. Ellman International, 

Inc. $23,017 

Reeves, David. Manage Rogers state prison swine farm. GA Dept. of Corrections. $76,061 

Reeves, David. Manage Rogers state prison dairy farm. GA Dept. of Corrections. $311,883 

Ritchie, Branson. Research Associate In Exotic/Zoo Infectious Disease And Pathology Postgraduate program. Zoo Atlanta/Riverbanks Zoo. 

$13,000 

Robertson, Thomas. Atypical regulation of vascular tone by protein kinase C. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $184,000 

Robertson, Thomas. Signal transduction pathways underlying laminar microvascular dysfunction in the early stages of acute laminitis. USDA- 

NRI. $324,024 

Saliki, Jeremiah T. Editorial support for the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. American Assoc. of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. 

$31,250 

Sanderson, Sherry. Dirlotapide customer satisfaction study. Pfizer Animal Health. $52,140 

Sellers, Holly. Reovirus progeny challenge study with novel avian reoviruses isolated from flocks with runting stunting syndrome. Fort Dodge Animal 

Health. $10,556 

Stallknecht, David. Determine infectious rate and distribution of avian pathogens in wild birds of midwestern and southeastern US for Homeland 

Security Surveillance. USDA-ARS. $50,000 

Stallknecht, David. Mosquito host preference for peridomestic avian species involved in West Nile virus epidemiology. Morris Animal Foundation. 

$35,000 

Stallknecht, David. HPAI wild birds: Potential for a new wildlife disease or dead end Morris Animal Foundation. $11,700 

Stallknecht, David. Vector-borne disease surveillance - Wild bird, mosquito, and tick laboratory support. GA Dept. of Human Resources. $280,965 

Stallknecht, David. West nile virus surveillance in wild birds. GA Dept. of Human Resources. $81,197 

Sum, Steffen. Determination of the role of rickettsial pathogens in naturally infected dogs. IDEXX, Inc. $8,000 

Torres-Velez, Fernando. Pathogenesis of Nipah virus in guinea pigs. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $108,220 

Tripp, Ralph. Phase I: Calf study. Numico Research Australia Pty. $16,065 

Vandenplas, Michel. Use of microarrays to characterize endotoxemia in vivo. Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. $22,745 

Varela-Stokes, Andrea. Infection dynamics of Ehrlichia chaffeensis. NIH-National Institutes of Health. $105,939 

Wagner, John J. Cocaine-induced metaplasticity in the hippocampus. NIDA-National Inst. Drug Abuse. $143,741 

Ward, Cynthia R. Environmental influences on signal transduction abnormalities in feline hyperthyroidism. Morris Animal Foundation. $14,976 

Ward, Cynthia R. Nutritional influences on the development of feline hyperthyroidism. Winn Feline Foundation. $13,800 

Yabsley, Michael. Molecular and biological characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi from United States. NIH-National Institutes of Health. 

$221,250 

VMES 2006 21

Administrators 

& Advisors 

The University System of Georgia 

Board of Regents 

Allan Vigil, Morrow - CHAIR 

Thirteenth District (2010) 

William H. Cleveland, Atlanta – VICE CHAIR 

State-at-Large (2009) 

Hugh A. Carter, Atlanta 


Michael J. Coles, Kennesaw 

Sixth District (2008) 

Robert Hatcher, Macon 

Eight District (2013) 

Julie Ewing Hunt, Tifton 

Second District (2013) 

Felton Jenkins, Madison 

At-large (2013) 

W. Mansfield Jennings, Jr., Hawkinsville 

First District (2013) 

James R. Jolly, Dalton 

Tenth District (2008) 

Donald M. Leebern, Jr., McDonough 


Elridge W. McMillan, Atlanta 

Fifth District (2010) 

Patrick S. Pittard, Atlanta 

Ninth District (2008) 

Doreen Stiles Poitevint, Bainbridge 


Willis J. Potts, Jr., Rome 

Eleventh District (2013) 

Wanda Yancey Rodwell, Stone Mountain 

Fourth District (2012) 

J. Timothy Shelnut, Augusta 

Twelfth District (2007) 

Benjamin Tarbutton III, Sandersville 

Third District (2013) 

Richard L. Tucker, Lawrenceville 

Seventh District (2012) 

Officers and Staff 

Errol B. Davis, Jr. 

Chancellor 

Ms. Corlis P. Cummings 

Chief Operating Officer & 

Executive Vice Chancellor 

Office of Administrative & Fiscal Affairs 

Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna 

Interim Chief Academic Officer & 

Executive Vice Chancellor 

Office of Academic Affairs 

Frank A. Butler 

Vice Chancellor 

Academics, Faculty and Student Affairs 

Dr. Daniel W. Rahn, M.D. 

Sr. Vice Chancellor, Health and 

Medical Programs & President 

Medical College of Georgia 

William Bowes 


Office of Fiscal Affairs 

Thomas E. Daniel 

Senior Vice Chancellor 

Office of External Affairs 

Linda M. Daniels 


Facilities 

Dr. Cathie M. Hudson 

Associate Vice Chancellor 

Strategic Research & Analysis 

Dr. Tom Maier 

Interim Vice Chancellor 

Information & Instructional Technology/CIO 

The University of Georgia 

University & College Administrators 

Michael F. Adams 

President 


Arnett C. Mace, Jr. 

Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and 

Provost 


David Lee 

Vice President for Research and Associate Provost 


Sheila Allen 

Dean 

College of Veterinary Medicine 

Harry W. Dickerson 

Director 

Veterinary Medical Experiment Station 

Veterinary Advisory Board 

John Callaway, President 

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association 

Lee Myers, State Veterinarian 

Georgia Department of Agriculture 

Bill Taff, Chairman 

Equine Advisory Board 

Tom Thompson, President 

Georgia Milk Producers 

Steve Healy, President 

Georgia Pork Producers Association 

John Bruno, President 

Georgia Poultry Federation 

D. West Hamryka, President 

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association 

Lee Izen, Past President 

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association 

Council to the Advisory Board 

Jim Collins 

Executive Vice President 

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association 

Melinda Dennis 

Director, Equine Division 

Georgia Equine Advisory Board 

Wayne Dollar 

President 

Georgia Farm Bureau 

Charles Griffin 

Executive Secretary 

Georgia Pork Producers Association 

Abit Massey 

Executive Director 

Georgia Poultry Association 

James Scroggs 

Executive Director 

Georgia Poultry Lab Improvement 

Association, Inc. 

M. Randy Clayton 

Director 

Georgia Sheep and Wool 


VMES Faculty 

& Researchers 

Allen, Sheila, Professor and Dean, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-5717 

Alvarez, Rene, Asst. Research Scientist, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-9807 

Austel, Michaela, Asst. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6386 

Baldwin, Charles, Director, Tifton Diagnostic Lab, 

(229) 386-3340 

Blas-Machado, Uriel, Asst. Professor, Athens Diagnostic 

Lab, (706) 542-5349 

Brown, Cathy, Pathologist, Athens Diagnostic Lab, 

(706) 542-5917 

Brown, Corrie, Professor, Pathology, (706) 542-5842 

Brown, Scott, Professor and Assoc. Dean for Academic 

Affairs, Physiology and Pharmacology, 

(706) 542-5857 

Budsberg, Steven, Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6314 

Calvert, Clay, Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6375 

Chambers, Jonathan, Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6313 

Ciembor, Paula, Asst. Res. Scientist, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-1267 

Coffield, Julie, Asst. Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology 

(706) 542-5979 

Corn, Joseph, Public Serv. Asst. Wildlife, 

(706) 542-5707 

Cornell, Karen, Assoc. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6379 

Crochik, Sonia, Asst. Professor, Anatomy and Radiology, 

(706) 542-6368 

Crowell-Davis, Sharon, Professor 

Anatomy and Radiology, (706) 542-8343 

Dickerson, Harry, Professor and Assoc. Dean for 

Research, Infectious Diseases, (706) 542-5794 

Dietrich, Ursula, Asst. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6432 

Dookwah, Hugh, Instructor, Anatomy and Radiology, 

(706) 542-5332 

Edwards, Gaylen, Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, 

(706) 542-5854 

Evans, Donald, Professor, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-4796 

Ferguson, Duncan, Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, 

(706) 542-5864 

Fu, Zhen, Assoc. Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-7021 

Garcia, Maricarmen, Assoc. Professor, Population 

Health, (706) 542-5656 

Glisson, John, Department Head, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5657 

Halper, Jaroslava, Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-5830 

Harmon, Barry, Professor, Pathology, (706) 542-5831 

Hensel, Patrick, Instructor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-9566 

Hernandez-Divers, Stephen, Asst. Professor, Small 

Animal Medicine, (706) 542-6472 

Hodge, Thomas, Sr. Res. Scientist, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-5790 

Hoenig, Margarethe, Professor, Physiology and 

Pharmacology, (706) 542-5869 

Hofacre, Charles, Professor, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5653 

Hofmeister, Eric, Resident, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 583-0252 

Hogan, Robert J., Asst. Professor, Anatomy and 

Radiology, (706) 542-6487 

Hollett, Bruce, Assoc. Professor, Large Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-5508 

Hondalus, Mary K., Asst. Professor, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-5778 

Howerth, Elizabeth, Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-5833 

Jackwood, Mark, Professor, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5475 

Jain, Anant, Professor, Athens Diagnostic Lab, 

(706) 542-5919 

Karls, Russell, Senior Res. Scientist, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-5791 

Keel, Kevin, Asst. Res. Scientist, Wildlife, 

(706) 542-5697 

Kent, Marc, Asst. Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-2752 

Kleven, Stanley, Professor and Department Head, 

Population Health, (706) 542-5644 

Krunkosky, Thomas, Assoc. Professor, Anatomy and 

Radiology, (706) 583-0543 

Latimer, Kenneth, Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-5844 

Lee, Margie, Professor, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5778 

LeRoy, Bruce, Asst. Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-5847 

Lewis, Stephen, Asst. Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, 

(706) 542-5862 

Lowder, Michael, Assoc. Professor, Large Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6431 

Maurer, John, Assoc. Professor, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5071 

McCall, John, Professor, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-8449 

McCombs, Candace, Adjunct Faculty, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-6516 

Mead, Daniel, Asst. Rsch Scientist, Wildlife, 

(706) 542-1741 

Miller, Debra Lee, Pathologist, Tifton Diagnostic Lab, 

(229) 386-3340 

Miller, Doris, Professor and Director, Athens Diagnostic 

Lab, (706) 542-5915 

Mispagel, Michael, CVM Grants Officer, Dean’s Office, 

(706) 542-5729 

Murray, James, Research Scientist, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-9883 

Murray, Thomas, Professor and Department Head, 

Physiology and Pharmacology, (706) 542-3014 

Mysore, Jagannatha, Asst. Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 542-5850 

Northrup, Nicole, Asst. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-7415 

Okinaga, Tatsuyuki, Asst. Rsch Scientist, Population 

Health and Large Animal Medicine, (706) 542-6340 

Parks, Andrew, Professor and Department Head, 

Large Animal Medicine, (706) 542-6372 

Pence, Melvin, Assoc. Professor, Population Health, 

(229) 386-3340 

Peroni, John, Asst. Professor, Large Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-9321 

Rajeev, Sreekumari, Asst. Professor, Tifton Diagnostic 

Lab, (229) 386-3340 

Rakich, Pauline, Pathologist, Athens Diagnostic 

Lab, (706) 542-5903 

Rawlings, Clarence, Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6317 

Ritchie, Branson, Professor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6316 

Roberts, Royce, Professor and Department Head, 

Anatomy and Radiology, (706) 542-8309 

Robertson, Thomas, Asst. Rsch Scientist, Physiology 

and Pharmacology, (706) 583-0979 

Sanchez, Susan, Microbiologist, Athens Diagnostic 

Lab, (706) 583-0518 

Sanderson, Sherry, Asst. Professor, Physiology and 

Pharmacology, (706) 542-6378 

Scherzer, Jakob, Asst. Professor, Large Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6319 

Sebastian, Manu M., Asst. Professor, Tifton Diagnostic 

Lab, (229) 386-3340 

Selcer, Barbara, Professor, Anatomy and Radiology, 

(706) 542-5550 

Sellers, Holly, Asst. Professor, Population Health, 

(706) 542-5647 

Sharma, Raghubir, Fred C. Davison Professor, 

Physiology and Pharmacology, (706) 542-2788 

Stallknecht, David, Assoc. Professor, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-7952 

Sum, Steffen O., Instructor, Small Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6432 

Supakorndej, Prasit, Asst. Rsch Scientist, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-5683 

Thompson, Larry, Asst. Professor, Tifton Diagnostic 

Lab, (229) 386-3340 

Tompkins, Mark, Asst. Professor, Infectious Diseases, 

(706) 542-4716 

Trim, Cynthia, Professor, Large Animal Medicine, 

(706) 542-6318 

Tripp, Ralph, Professor and Eminent Scholar, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-5778 

Uhl, Elizabeth, Asst. Professor, Pathology, 

(706) 583-0475 

Vandenplas, Michel, Asst. Rsch Scientist, Large 


Varela-Stokes, Andrea, Asst. Res. Scientist, Infectious 

Diseases, (706) 542-0195 

Villegas, Pedro, Professor, Population Health, (706) 

542-5085 

Ward, Cynthia R., Assoc. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6380 

White, Susan, Professor and Acting Assoc. Dean 

for Public Services and Outreach Programs, Large 


Williams, Jamie, Asst. Professor, Anatomy and 

Radiology, (706) 542-8342 

Williamson, Lisa, Assoc. Profesor, Large Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-9323 

Wilson, Heather, Asst. Professor, Small Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-6328 

Woolums, Amelia, Asst. Professor, Large Animal 

Medicine, (706) 542-9329 

Yabsley, Michael, Asst. Res. Scientist, Wildlife, 

(706) 542-1741 

Zavala, Guillermo, Asst. Professor, Population 

Health, (706) 542-5058 

VMES 2006 23

Selected 

Publications 

Aaronson, P.I., Robertson, T.P., Knock, G.A., Becker, S., Lewis, T.H., Snetkov, V.A., Ward, J.P.T. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction: Mechanisms and controversies. 

J. Physiol. 570:53-58, 2006. 

Agnello, K.A., Reynolds, L.R., Budsberg, S.C. In vivo effects of tepoxalin, a dual COX/LOX inhibitor, on prostanoid and leukotriene production in dogs with osteoarthritis. 

Am. J. Vet. Res. 66:966-972, 2005. 

Agnello, K.A., Trumble, T.N., Chambers, J.N., Seewald, W., Budsberg, S.C. The effects of zoledronate on markers of bone metabolism and subchondral bone mineral 

density in an experimental model of canine osteoarthritis. Am. J. Vet. Res. 66:1487-1495, 2005. 

Agrawal, A., Tripp, R.A., Anderson, L.J., Nie, S., Real-time detection of virus particles and viral protein expression with two-color nanoparticle probes. J. Virol. 

79(13):8625-8628, 2005. 

Agrawal, A., Zhang, C., Byassee, T., Tripp, R.A., Nie, S. Counting single native biomolecules and intact viruses with color-coded nanoparticles. Anal. Chem. 

78(4):1061-1070, 2006. 

Alvarado, I. R., P. Villegas, N. Mossos, and M. W. Jackwood. Molecular Characterization of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Strains Isolated in Colombia During 

2003. Avian Dis. 494-499, 2005. 

Alvarado, I., P. Villegas, J. El-Attrache, M. W. Jackwood. Detection of Massachusetts and Arkansas Serotypes of Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Broilers. Avian Dis. Dec. 

2005. 

Alwood, A.J., Brainard, B.M. , Lafond, E., Drobatz, K.J., and King, L.G. Postoperative Pulmonary Complications. In Dogs Undergoing Laparotomy: Frequency, 

Characterization And Disease-Related Risk Factors. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care, (in press), 2006. 

Aragon, C.L., Budsberg, S.C. Applications of Evidence-Based Medicine: Cranial cruciate ligament injury repair in the dog. Vet. Surg. 34:93-98, 2005. 

Austel, M., Hensel, P., Jackson, D., Vidyashankar, A., Zhao, Y., and Medleau, L. Evaluation of three different histamine concentrations in intradermal testing of normal 

cats and attempted determination of “irritant” threshold concentrations for 48 allergens. Vet. Derm. 17:189-194, 2006. 

Bergh, M.S., and Budsberg, S.C. The Coxib NSAIDs: Potential clinical and pharmacological importance in veterinary medicine. J. Vet. Int. Med. 19:633-643, 2005. 

Biffa, D. and Woldemeskel, M. Causes and Factors Associated With Occurrence of External Injuries in Working Equines in Ethiopia. Intern. J. Appl. Res. Vet. Med.. 

4(1):1-7, 2006. 

Biffa, D., Debela, E., Beyene, F., and Woldemeskel, M Factors associated with bovine udder infections in small holder dairy farms in Ethiopia. Bull. Anim. Hlth. Prod. 

Afr. 53:258-265, 2005. 

Brainard, B.M., Alwood, A.J., Kushner, L.I., Drobatz, K.J., and King, L.G. Postoperative Pulmonary Complications In Dogs Undergoing Laparotomy: Anesthetic and 

perioperative factors. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care, (in press), 2006 

Brainard, B.M., Campbell, V.L., Drobatz, K.J., and Perkowski, S.Z. Effects of surgery and anesthesia on serum ionized magnesium and ionized calcium concentrations 

in the healthy canine patient. Vet. Anaes. and Analg., (in press), 2006. 

Brainard, B.M., Meredith, C.P., Callan, M.B., Budsberg, S.C., and Otto, C.M. Evidence of hypercoagulability in dogs treated with acetylsalicylic acid. Abstracts from 

the 11th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care 15(s1):S1-S13. 2005 

Brainard, B.M., and Mandell, D.C. Pheochromocytoma. In Manual of Critical Care, Silverstein, D.C. and Hopper, K.A., eds. Elsevier publishing, (in press). 

Brainard, B.M., Mandell, D.C. Pulmonary artery catheters. In Manual of Critical Care, Silverstein, D.C. and Hopper, K.A., eds. Elsevier publishing, (in press). 

Brainard, B.M., King, L.G. Feline lower airway disease. In Manual of Feline Emergency and Critical Care. Costello, M.C and Drobatz, K.J., eds. Blackwell Publishing, 

(in press). 

Brown, C.A., Munday, J.S., Mathur, S., Brown, S.A. Hypertensive encephalopathy in cats with reduced renal function. Vet Pathol. 42(5):642-649, 2005. 

Buchanan, M.F., Carter, W.C., Cowgill, L.M., Hurley, D.J., Lewis, S.J., MacLeod, J.N., Melton, T.R., Moore, J.N., Pessah, I., Roberson, M., Robertson, T.P., Smith, 

M.L., Vandenplas, M.L. Using 3-D Animation to teach intracellular signal transduction mechanisms:taking the arrows out of cells. J. Vet. Med. Edu. 32:72-78, 2005. 

Budsberg, S.C., Lenz, M.E., Thona,r E.J.-M.A. Cruciate ligament transection in the canine knee induces both local and distant changes in the metabolism of aggrecan 

and hyaluronan. Am. J. Vet. Res. 76:429-432, 2006. 

Burek, K.A., Gulland, F.M., Sheffield, G., Beckmen, K.B., Keyes, E., Spraker, T.R., Smith, A.W., Skilling, D.E., Evermann, J.F., Stott, J.L., Saliki, J.T., Trites, A.W. 

Infectious disease and the decline of steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska, USA: insights from serologic data. J. Wildl. Dis. 41, 512-524, 2005. 


Callison, S. A., D. A. Hilt, and M. W. Jackwood. Using DNA shuffling to create novel infectious bronchitis virus S1 genes: Implications for S1 gene recombination. 

Virus Genes 31:5-11, 2005. 

Callison, S. A., D. A. Hilt, and M. W. Jackwood. Design, Synthesis and in vitro analysis of a hammerhead ribozyme targeted to infectious bronchitis virus nucleocapsid 

mRNA. Avian Dis. 49:159-163, 2005. 

Calvert, C.A., Rawlings, C.A. Heartworm disease: Dogs. In The 5 Minute Veterinary Consult. Clinical Companion. Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases and Parasitology. 

Ed Barr SC, Bowman DD, Blackwell, Ames, IA, 275-281, 2006 

Chambers, J.N., McBride, M.P. and Hernandez-Divers, S.J. Dynamic crossed-pin fixation of a distal femoral growth plate fracture in a domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus 

cuniculus). J. Exotic Mammal Med. Surg. 3:4-5, 2005. 

Cistola, A.C. and Ward, C.R. Hypoparathyroid Disease. Standards of Care. Accepted for publication, 2006. 

Collett, S. R., D K Thomson D York and S P R Bisschop. A Floor Pen Study to Evaluate the Serological Response of Broiler Breeders After Vaccination with TS-11 

Strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum Vaccine. Avian Dis., (in press), 2005. 

Corn, J.L., E.J.B. Manning, S. Sreevatsan, and J.R. Fischer. Isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from free-ranging birds and mammals on 

livestock premises. App. Environ. Microbiology 71(11):6963-6967, 2005. 

Cox, N.A., C.L. Hofacre, R.J. Buhr, J.L. Wilson, J.S. Bailey, L.J. Richardson, D.E. Cosby, M.T. Musgrove, K.L. Hiett, and S.M. Russell. Attempts to isolate naturally 

occurring Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens from the ductus deferens, testes, and cecal of commercial broiler breeder roosters. J. Appl. Poult. 

Res. 14:1-4, 2005. 

Cox, N.A., C.L. Hofacre, J.S. Bailey, R.J. Buhr, J.L. Wilson, K.L. Hiett, L.J. Richardson, M.T. Muscrove, D.E. Cosby, J.D. Tankson, Y.L. Vizzier, P.F. Cray, L.E. 

Vaughn, P.S. Holt, and D.V. Bourassa. Presence of Campylobacter jejuni in various organs one hour, one day, and one week following oral or intracloacal inoculations 

of broiler chicks. Avian Dis. 49:155-158, 2005. 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Diagnosis of Behavior Problems. Journal of Veterinary Clinical Behavior. 1, 2006. 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Selecting psychoactive medications for behavior problems. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, 28, 2006 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Behavior Problems in Pet Rabbits. J. Exotic Pet Medicine (accepted) 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. and Murray, T.F. Veterinary Psychopharmacology. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, Iowa, 2006. 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Social Organization and Communication. In The Welfare of Cats. Ed. I. Rochlitz. Springer Publishing, 2005. 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Introduction to Behavioral Diagnosis and Treatment. In Handbook of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 5th edition (in press) 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Feline Behavioral Disorders. In Handbook of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 5th edition (in press) 

Crowell-Davis, S.L. Canine Behavioral Disorders In Handbook of Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 5th edition (in press) 

Debnam, A.L., Jackson, C.R., Avellaneda, G.E., Barrett, J.B., and Hofacre, C.L. Effect of growth promotant usage on enterococci species on a poultry farm. Avian Dis. 

49:361-365, 2005. 

de Lahunta, A., Glass, E.N., Kent, M. Classifying involuntary muscle contractions. Comp. Cont. Ed. Pract. Vet. 28(7):516-530, 2006. 

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McGraw, R.A., Carmichael, K.P. Molecular basis of globoid cell leukodystrophy in Irish setters. Vet. J. 171(2):370-372, 2006. 

Miller, J.E., Bishop, S.C., Cockett, N.E., McGraw, R.A. Segregation of natural and experimental gastrointestinal nematode infection in F(2) progeny of susceptible Suffolk 

and resistant Gulf Coast Native sheep and its usefulness in assessment of genetic variation. Vet. Parasitol. Apr 16; 2006, [Epub ahead of print] 

Miller, D.L., Mauel, M.J., Liggett, A., Hines, M.E. II, Frazier, K.S., Pence, M., Whittington, L., and Baldwin, C.A. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis 

of Cryptosporidium spp. by soil provinces in Georgia. Vet. J. (in press) 

Miller, D.L., Taylor, S.K., Rotstein, D.S., Pough M.B., Barr, M.C., Baldwin, C.A., Cunningham, M., Roelke, M. and Ingram, D. Feline immunodeficiency virus and 

puma lentivirus in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi): epidemiology and diagnostic issues. Vet. Res. Comm. 30:307-317, 2006. 

Miller, D.L., Radi, Z.A., Baldwin, C., and Ingram, D. A Case of Fatal West Nile virus in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). J. Wildlife Dis. 41:246-249, 

2005 

Moore, J.N. Five decades of colic: A view thirty-five years on. Equine Vet. J. 37(4), 2005. 

Moscoso, H., Raybon, E.O., Thayer, S.G. and Hofacre, C.L. Molecular detection and serotyping of infectious bronchitis virus from FTA® filter paper. Avian Dis. 

49:24-29, 2005. 

Munday, J.S., Richey, L.J., Brown, C.A., Rodriguez, N.A., and Kiupel, M. Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the salivary gland in two Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus 

auratus). Vet. Pathol. 42(6):819-823, 2005. 

Murphy, M.D., Howerth, E.W., MacLachlan, N.J. and Stallknecht, D.E. Genetic variation among epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses in the southeastern United 

States: 1978-2001. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 5:157-165, 2005. 

Northrup, N.C., Howerth, E.W., Harmon, B.G., Brown, C.A., Carmichael, K.P., Garcia, A.P., Latimer, K.S., Munday, J.S., Rakich, P.M., Richey, L.J., Stedman, N.L., and 

Gieger, T.L. Variation among pathologists in the histologic grading of canine cutaneous mast cell tumors with uniform use of a single grading reference. J. Vet. Diagn. 

Invest. 17(6):561-564, 2005. 

VMES 2006 29

Okano, S., Hurley, D.J., Bergh, M.S., Vandenplas, M.L., Budsberg, S.C., Moore, J.N. Optimization of conditions for in vitro production of radical oxygen species and 

expression of tissue factor by canine mononuclear and granulocytes for use in high-throughput assays. Vet. Immun. and Immunopth. 112:234-242, 2006. 

Osuchowski, M.F., Johnson, V.J., He, Q., and Sharma, R.P. Alterations in regional brain neurotransmitters by silymarin, a natural antioxidant flavonoid mixture, in 

BALB/c mice. Pharmaceutical Biology 42:384-389, 2004. 

Osuchowski, M.F., Edwards, G.L., and Sharma, R.P. Fumonisin B1-induced neurodegeneration in mice after intracerebroventricular infusion is concurrent with disruption 

of sphingolipid metabolism and activation of proinflammatory signaling. NeuroToxicol., 26:211-221, 2005. 

Osuchowski, M.F., He, Q. and Sharma, R.P. Endotoxin Exposure Alters Brain and Liver Effects of Fumonisin B1 in BALB/c Mice: Implication of Blood Brain Barrier. 

Food Chem. Toxicol. 43:1389-1397, 2005. 

Osuchowski, M.F., Johnson, V.J., He, Q., and Sharma, R. P. Myriocin, a serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor, alters regional brain neurotransmitter levels without concurrent 

inhibition of the brain sphingolipid biosynthesis in mice. Toxicol. Lett. 147:87-94, 2004. 

Othoro, C., Moore, J.M., Wannemuehler, K., Nahlen, B.L., Otieno, J., Slutsker, L., Lal, A.A., and Shi, Y.P. 2006. Evaluation of various methods of maternal placental 

blood collection for immunology studies. Clin. Vaccine Immunol. 13(5):568-574, 2006. 

Overall, K., Rodan, I., Beaver, B., Carney, H., Crowell-Davis, S., Hird, N., Kudrak, S. and Wexler-Mitchell, E. Feline Behavior Guidelines. JAVMA 227(1):70-84, 

2005 . 

Owen, J.R., Bates, J.N., Lewis, S.J. Differential effects of nitroblue tetrazolium on the hemodynamic responses elicited by activation of a1-adrenoceptors and 5-HT2 

receptors in conscious rats. Eur. J. Pharmacol. 535:248-252, 2006. 

Owen, J.R., Bates, J.N., Lewis, S.J. Endogenous nitrosyl factors may inhibit desensitization of 5-HT3 receptors on vagal cardiopulmonary afferents. Brain Res. 

1059:167-172, 2005. 

Parthasarathy, V. and Crowell-Davis, S.L. Relationship between attachment to owners and separation anxiety in pet dogs. J. Vet. Clin. Behavior (in press) 1: 2006. 

Peroni, J.F., Moore, J.N., Noschka, E., Grafton, M.E., Aceves-Avila, M., Lewis, S.J., Robertson, T.P. Predisposition for venoconstriction in the equine laminar dermis: 

implications in equine laminitis. J. Appl. Physiol. 100:759-763, 2006. 

Peroni, J.F., Harrison, W.E., Moore, J.N., Graves, J.E., Lewis, S.J., Krunkosky, T.M. 

and Robertson, T.P. Black walnut extract-induced laminitis in horses is associated with heterogeneous dysfunction of the laminar microvasculature. Eq. Vet. J. 37:546- 

551, 2005. 

Perry, N.D., Hanson, B.A., Hobgood, W., Lopez, R.L., Okraska, C.R., Karem, K., Damon, I.K. and Carroll, D.S. New invasive species in southern Florida: Gambian 

rat (Cricetomys gambianus). J. Mammalogy 87(2):262-264, 2006. 

Peterson, A.T., Pape, M., Reynolds, M.G., Perry, N.D., Hanson, B.A., Regnery, R.L., Hutson, C.L., Muizniek, B., Damon, I.K. and Carroll, D.S. Native-range ecology 

and invasive potential of cricetomys in North America. J. Mammalogy 87(3):427-432, 2006. 

Petkov, D.I., Linnemann, E., Kapczynski, D.R. and Sellers, H.S. Full length sequence analysis of four Infectious Bursal Disease Virus isolates with different pathogenicities. 

Virus Genes. February, 2006. In Press. 

Poovassery J, and Moore, J.M. Murine malaria infection induces fetal loss associated with accumulation of Plasmodium chabaudi AS-infected erythrocytes in the 

placenta. Infect. Immun. 74(5):2839-2848, 2006. 

Posey, J.E., Shinnick, T.M. and Quinn, F.D. Characterization of the twin arginine translocase (TAT) secretion system of Mycobacterium smegmatis. J. Bacteriol. 

188:1332-1340, 2006. 

Possas, O., Johnson, A.K., Lewis, S.J. Role of nitrosyl factors in the hindlimb vasodilation produced by baroreceptor afferent nerve stimulation. Am. J. Physiol. 290: 

R741-R748, 2006. 

Praveen, K., Leary, J.H. 3rd, Evans, D.L., Jaso-Friedmann, L. Molecular characterization and expression of a granzyme of an ectothermic vertebrate with chymase-like 

activity expressed in the cytotoxic cells of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Immunogenetics 58(1):41-55, 2006. 

Praveen, K., Leary, J.H. 3rd, Evans, D.L., Jaso-Friedmann, L. Nonspecific cytotoxic cells of teleosts are armed with multiple granzymes and other components of the 

granule exocytosis pathway. Mol. Immunol. 43(8):1152-1162, 2006. 

Praveen, K., Evans, D.L. and Jaso-Friedmann, L. Constitutive expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cytotoxic cells of teleosts and its role in regulation of cellmediated 

cytotoxicity. Mol. Immunol. 43:279-291, 2006. 

Praveen, K., Evans, D.L., and Jaso-Freidmann, L. Molecular cloning of cellular apoptosis susceptibility (CAS) gene in Oreochromis niloticus and its proposed role in 

regulation of nonspecific cytotoxic cell (NCC) functions. Fish and Shellfish Immunol. 20:647-655, 2006. 

Radi, Z.A. and Miller, D.L. Immunohistochemical expression of calretinin in canine testicular tumours. Res. Vet. Sci. 79:125-129, 2005. 

Rajeev, S., Shulaw, W., Berghaus, R., Zhang, Y., and Byrum, B. A testing scheme for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in bovine feces 

utilizing the ESP para-JEM broth culture system. 2006. Accepted in JVDI 

Rayalam, S., Eizenstat, L.D., Hoenig, M., and Ferguson, D.C. Cloning and sequencing of feline thyrotropin (fTSH):heterodimeric and yoked constructs. Dom. Anim. 

Endocrin. 30:203-217, 2006. 

Rayalam, S., Eizenstat, L.D., Davis, R.R., Hoenig, M., Ferguson, D.C. Expression and purification of feline thyrotropin (fTSH):immunological detection and bioactivity 

of heterodimeric and yoked glycoproteins. Dom. Anim. Endocrin. 30:185-202, 2006. 


Robertson, T.P., Peroni, J.F., Lewis, S.J., and Moore, J.N. Capacitative calcium entry elicits selective venoconstriction in equine laminar blood vessels. Am. J. Vet. Res. 

66:1877-1880, 2005. 

Saliki, J.T., Cooper, E.J., Rotstein, D.S., Caseltine, S.L., Pabst, D.A., McLellan, W.A., Govett, P., Harms, C., Smolarek, K.A., and Romero, C.H. 2006. A novel gammaherpesvirus 

associated with genital lesions in a Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris). J. Wildlife Dis., 42: (in press), 2006. 

Santangelo, P., Nitin, N., LaConte, L., Woolums, A.R., and Bao, G. Live-cell characterization and analysis of a clinical isolate of bovine respiratory syncytial virus by 

using molecular beacons. J. Virol. 80:682-688, 2006. 

Schat, K. and Sellers, H.S. Cell Culture Methods In A Laboratory Manual for the Isolation and Identification of Avian Pathogens, 5th edition. Amer. Assoc. Avian 

Path. (in press). 

Schulz, T.W., Yarbrough, J.Y., and Woldemeskel, M. Toxicity to Tetrahymena and abiotic thiol reactivity of aromatic Isothiocyanates. Cell Biol. Toxic. 21:181-189, 

2005. 

Sebastian, M.M., Bernard, W., and Fitzgerald, T. Mare reproductive loss syndrome. Comp. Cont. Educ. for the Pract. Vet. 1(1):20-33, 2006. 

Selleri, P. and Hernandez-Divers, S.J. Renal diseases of reptiles. Veterinary Clinics of North America Exotic Pet Practice 9:161-174, 2006. 

Shaik, S.A., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J. and Mosjidis, J. Use of Sericea lespedeza hay as a natural deworming agent in 

goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. Vet. Parasit., 139:150–157, 2006. 

Shaik, S.A., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., Kouakou, B., Kannan, G., Kaplan, R.M., Burke, J.M. and Mosjidis, J.A. Anthelmintic effects of Sericea lespedeza hay fed to 

goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. Proceedings of the XX International Grassland Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 26 June – 6 July, 2005. 

Shanmukh, S., Jones, L., Zhao, Y., Dluhy, R., and Tripp, R.A. Rapid and sensitive detection of respiratory virus molecular signatures using an Ag nanorod array SERS 

substrate. J. Nanolett., accepted, 2006. 

Sharma, N., He. Q., and Sharma, R.P. Augmented fumonisin B1 toxicity in co-cultures:evidence for crosstalk between macrophages and nonparenchymatous liver 

epithelial cells involving proinflammatory cytokines. Toxicology, 203:239-251, 2004. 

Sharma, N., He. Q., and Sharma, R.P. Sphingosine kinase activity confers resistance to apoptosis by fumonisin B1 in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. 

Chem-Biol. Interactions 151:33-42, 2004. 

Sledge, D.G., Miller, D.L., Styer, E.L., Hydrick, H.A. and Baldwin, C.A. Equine herpesvirus 2-associated granulomatous dermatitis in a horse. Vet. Path. (in press) 

Spackman, E., Pantin-Jackwood, M., Day, J.M. and Sellers, H. The Pathogenesis of turkey origin reoviruses in turkeys and chickens. Avian Pathol. 34:291-296, 2005. 

Stewart, J.N., Rivera, H.N., Harten, J.B., Karls, R.K., Quinn, F.D., Roman, J. and Rivera-Marrero, C.A. Increased pathology and expression of lysosomal cathepsin 

proteases in lungs of mice after infection with an alpha-crystallin mutant of M. tuberculosis. Microbiol. 152:233-244, 2006. 

Stiffler, K.S., McCrackin Stevenson, M.A., Sanchez, S., Barsanti, J.A., Hofmeister, E., Budsberg, S.C. Prevalence and charactization of urinary tract infections in dogs 

with surgically treated type 1 thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. Vet. Surg .35:330-336, 2006. 

Sung, W. and Crowell-Davis, S.L. Elimination behavior patterns of domestic cats (Felis catus) with and without elimination behavior problems. Amer. J. Vet. Res. (in 

press), 2006. 

Swords, W.E., Guenthner, P.C., Birkness, K.A., Lal, R.B., Dezzutti, C.S. and Quinn, F.D. Mycobacterium xenopi multiplies within human macrophages and enhances 

HIV replication during co-infection in human PBMC. Microb. Path. 40:41-47, 2006. 

Tandon, R., Lyons, E.T., Tolliver, S.C., and Kaplan, R.M. Effect of moxidectin selection on the genetic variation within Cylicocyclus nassatus based on amplified fragment 

length polymorphism (AFLP). Intern. J. Parasitol. 35(7):813-819, 2005. 

Tate, C.M., Mead, D.G., Luttrell, M.P., Howerth, E.W., Dugan, V.G., Munderloh, U.G. and Davidson, W.R. Experimental infection of white-tailed deer with Anaplasma 

phagocytophilum, etiologic agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 43(8):3595-3601, 2005. 

Tatsufumi, U., Konnai, S., Ohashi, K.and Onuma, M. Expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in IgM+ B-cells from bovine leukemia virus-infected lymphocytotic sheep. 

Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 112(3-4):296-301, 2006 

Thayer, S.G. and Beard, C.W. Serological Procedures. In Isolation and Identification of Avian Pathogens. 5th edition, American Assoc. of Avian Pathologists. Accepted. 

2006. 

Thayer, S.G., Waltman, W.D. and Jensen. M.M. Staphylococcus. In Isolation and Identification of Avian Pathogens. 5th edition, American Assoc. of Avian Pathologists. 

Accepted, 2006. 

Thayer, S.G., Waltman, W.D. and Wages, D.P. Streptococcus and Enterococcus. In Isolation and Identification of Avian Pathogens. 5th edition, American Assoc. of 

Avian Pathologists. Accepted, 2006. 

Thompson, A.M., Swant, J., Gosnell, B.A., Wagner, J.J. Modulation of long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus following cocaine self-administration. Neuroscience 

127(1):177-185, 2004. 

Touzot-Jourde, G., Hernandez-Divers, S.J., and Trim, C.M. Cardiopulmonary effects of controlled versus spontaneous ventilation in pigeons anesthetized for coelioscopy. 

J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 227:1424-1428, 2005. 

Touzot-Jourde, G., Stedman, N.L., and Trim, C.M. Endotracheal intubation in horses: a study of 2 cuff inflation pressures, correlation with liquid aspiration and tracheal 

wall damage. Vet Anaesth Analg, 32:23-29, 2005. 

VMES 2006 31

Tripp, R.A., Alvarez, R., Anderson, B., Jones, L., Weeks, C., and Chen,W. Bioconjugated nanoparticle detection of respiratory syncytial virus infection. Int. J. Nanomed, 

accepted, 2006. 

Tripp, R.A., Oshansky, C., Alvarez, R. Cytokines and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Proc. Am. Thorac. Soc. 2(2):147-149, 2005. 

Tripp, R.A., Haynes, L.M., Moore, D., Anderson, B., Tamin, A., Harcourt, B.H., Jones, L.P., Yilla, M., Babcock, G.J., Greenough, T., Ambrosino, D.M., Alvarez, R., 

Callaway, J., Cavitt, S., Kamrud, K., Alterson, H., Smith, J., Harcourt, J.L., Miao, C., Razdan, R., Comer, J.A., Rollin, P.E., Ksiazek, T.G., Sanchez, A., Rota, P.A., 

Bellini, W.J., and Anderson, L.J. Monoclonal antibodies to SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV): identification of neutralizing and antibodies reactive to S, N, M 

and E viral proteins. J. Virol. Methods 128(1-2):21-28, 2005. 

Tripathy, D.N., and García, M. Laryngotracheitis. In Isolation and identification of avian pathogens. D. E. Swayne, J. R. Glisson, M. W. Jackwood, J. E. Pearson, and 

W. M. Reed., eds., 5th edition. American Association of Avian Pathologist, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center, PA. (in press). 

Vaden, S.L. and Brown, C.A. Renal biopsy. In Manual of Canine and Feline Nephrology and Urology. Elliot, J. and Grauer, G., eds. Second ed. Brit. Small Animal 

Vet. Assoc. (in press). 

Vandenplas, M.L., Moore, J.N., Barton, M.H., Roussel, A.J., and Cohen, N.D. Concentrations of serum amyloid A and lipoplysaccharide-binding protein in horses with 

colic. Am. J. Vet. Res. 66(9):1509-1516, 2005 

van Wyk, J.A., Hoste, H., Kaplan, R.M., Besier, R.B. Targeted selective treatment for worm management - how do we sell rational programs to farmers Vet. Parasitol. 

139:269-396, 2006. 

Villegas, Pedro. Inclusion Body Hepatitis – Hydropericardium Syndrome. In The Merck Veterinary Manual, 9th edition. Pp. 2198-2199, 2005. 

Villegas, Pedro. Egg drop Syndrome. In The Merck Veterinary Manual, 9th edition. Pp. 2294-2296, 2005. 

Visser ’t Hooft, K., Drobatz, K.J., Ward, C.R. Hypophosphatemia: an overview. Comp. Cont. Ed. 27:900-911, 2006. 

Wall, M., Platt, S., Selcer, B.A., Brockus, C. Multifocal spinal papillary meningioma in a dog. Vet. Radiol. Ultrasound 46:209-312, 2005 

Ward, C.R. Thyroid Storm In Saunder’s Manual of Critical Care Medicine for Dogs and Cats, D. Silverstein and K. Hopper, eds, Elsevier, St. Louis, MO., 2006. 

Ward, C.R. Hyperparathyroid Disease. Standards of Care. 8:8-12, 2006. 

Ward, J.P.T., Robertson, T.P., Aaronson, P.I. Capacitative calcium entry: A central role in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction Am. J. Physiol. 289:L2-4, 2005. 

Ward, M.R., Stallknecht, D.E., Willis, J., Conroy, M.J. and Davidson, W.R. Wild bird mortality and West Nile virus surveillance: Biases associated with detection, 

reporting, and carcass persistence. J. Wildlife Dis. 42(1):92-106, 2006. 

Whalen, E.J., Bates, J.N., Johnson, A.K, Lewis, S.J. Down-regulation of propranolol-sensitive b-adrenoceptor signaling after inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. Brit. J. 

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Whalen, E.J., Saurer, T.B., Johnson, A.K., Lewis, S.J. Intracellular cGMP may promote Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent release of catecholamines from sympathetic 

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Witte, S., Rodgerson, D.H., Hunt, R.J., Spirito, M., Mueller, P.O.E. Extraluminal uterine adhesions in peripartum mares. Compend. Contin. Educ. Pract. Vet., Equine 

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Evidence of tick-borne organisms in mule deer (Odocoi- 

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Yabsley, M.J. and Gibbs, S.E.J. Description and phylogeny of a new species of Eimeria from double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) near Fort Gaines, 

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Yabsley, M.J., Quick, T.C. and Little, S.E. Theileriosis in a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawn. J. Wildlife Dis. 41(4):806-809, 2005. 

Yabsley, M.J., Romines, J. and Nettles, V.F. Detection of Babesia and Anaplasma species in rabbits from Texas and Georgia, USA. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Dis. 

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Yabsley, M.J., Work, T.M. and Rameyer, R.A. Molecular phylogeny of Babesia poelea from brown boobies (Sula leucogaster) from Johnston Atoll, Central Pacific. J. 

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Zarnke, R.L., Saliki, J.T., MacMillan, A.P., Brew, S.D., Dawson, C.E., Ver Hoef, J.M. and Small, R.J. Serologic survey for Brucella spp bacteria, phocid herpesvirus-1, 

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Zavala, G. Rétroviroses de la poule/leucoses aviaires. In , 2nd édition. Ecole nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort, Cedex, France. 

Zavala, G., Lucio-Martinez, B., Cheng, S. and Barbosa, T. Sarcomas and myelocytomas induced by avian leukosis virus in white Leghorn egg layer chickens. Avian 

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Zavala, G. and Cheng, S. Detection and characterization of avian leukosis virus in Marek’s disease vaccines. Avian Dis. (in press), 2006. 

Zavala, G. and Cheng, S. Experimental infection with avian leukosis virus isolated from Marek’s disease vaccines. Avian Dis. (in press), 2006. 


Working for Georgia 

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