Date of Award
5-2024
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Catherine Miller
Second Advisor
Rachel Larsen
Third Advisor
Allison Gardner
Keywords
Biology, Avipoxvirus
Abstract
An outbreak of Avipoxvirus occurred on a small farm in Gorham, ME in spring of 2022. This led to an investigation of the molecular and immunological properties of the virus using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to assess viral presence and antibody presence in domestic and wild turkeys and chickens. Viral presence was found in three visually pox-lesioned birds, and not found in two visually pox-lesioned birds. Viral presence was found in three visually healthy birds and not found in two visually healthy birds. Viral presence was not found in any pooled samples of mosquitoes (n=429 Culex pipiens and Culex restuans). Birds infected in spring of 2022, recovered, and harvested in fall 2023 were utilized as positive controls in ELISAs. All domestic and wild turkey samples were positive for viral presence regardless of pox-lesion presence.
Recommended Citation
Barrett, Natalie MS '24, "Molecular and immunological analysis of Avipoxvirus in avian samples and comparison of local potential mosquito vector populations" (2024). All Student Scholarship. 446.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/etd/446
