The Role of the

Diagnostic Laboratory

in the Poultry Industry

Joel L. Cline

DVM, MAM, Diplomate ACPV

J. B Taylor Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Elba, Alabama

Elba, Alabama

J. B. Taylor Diagnostic Lab

J. B. Taylor Diagnostic Lab

J. B. Taylor Diagnostic Laboratory

What is Our Role?

Regulatory

Promote Commerce

Diagnostics

What is Our Role?

Regulatory

Promote Commerce

Diagnostics

Surveillance!

What is Our Role?

Diagnostics

Monitoring/Surveillance

Diagnostics Treatment

Surveillance Prevention

A New Discipline?

Production Pathology

Pathology Production

Medicine

Production Pathology

Population….Not individuals

Prevention = $

Production Pathology

Population….Not individuals

Prevention = $

An Excellent Example!

National

Poultry

Improvement

Plan

Regional Poultry

Six million broilers per week.

312 million broilers per year.

Leading quail producing

county in Alabama.

Other non-commercial poultry.

My favorite cages

Noncommercial Poultry

Encourage submissions.

Encourage Participation in the NPIP.

Underlying surveillance.

Keep in mind the bigger picture.

Comparison of Disease Incidence of

Commercial and Noncommercial

Poultry in North Alabama.

Christenberry, Hoerr, Lockaby, Li, Bright and Waldrep

IBV, NCD, Fowl Cholera

Vs.

Mg, Ms, Coryza

1.84 Miles

194.25 miles

Infectious Bronchitis

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Procedures Total + Ark DPI Mass Conn 94% Ark Variant

Effective Surveillance

Effective Surveillance

Definition of essential information to collect,

including case definitions

Systematic collection of information

Organization and analysis of information

Implementation of preventive measures based

on information collected

Evaluation of preventive measures.

South Alabama Reovirus

One company experienced many down birds on

several farms and this was associated with poor

performance at the plant. The problem was

initially thought to be associated with one

breeder flock. The company suspected the

involvement of Reovirus

Reovirus

Definition of essential information, including case definitions:

Historic collection of gross lesions, bacteriology, virus isolation, serology and histopathology.

Surveillance relied heavily on histopathology.

Systematic collection of information:

Ongoing surveillance

Organization and analysis of data:

Case Records

Reovirus

Implementation of preventive measures based on the information:

Development of an autogenous vaccine.

Evaluation of preventive measures:

Gross lesions, bacteriology, virus isolation, serology and histopathology.

Surveillance – Historical data and local baselines, cooperation, dissemination Rapid and effective decision making

Thank You

Scott Helton, Tammy Watson and Billy Parker – J. B.

Taylor Diagnostic Laboratory, Elba, AL.

The Thompson Bishop Sparks Diagnostic Laboratory

and Dr. Sara Rowe – Interim Director, Auburn

Alabama.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries

and Commissioner John McMillan.

Alabama Poultry and Egg Association and Mr. Ray

Hilburn.

Thank You