Patent Number: 6696562
Docket Number: 3800
Serial Number: 9900920
Date Patented: 02/24/2004

Technology Description: Researchers have identified a never before described virus that infects young turkeys, which has been causing problems to Southeastern poult producers since the early 1990s. The virus is associated with Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome (PEMS), a highly infectious, transmissible disease of young turkeys that causes severe diarrhea, stunted growth, and high death rates in young flocks. PEMS is also associated with lifelong changes to the turkey immune system leaving the birds highly susceptible to other infectious agents. PEMS outbreaks have cost the turkey industry millions of dollars in losses annually. The researchers isolated this avian astrovirus?a small RNA virus also associated with diarrhea outbreaks in humans and other animals?from turkey poults infected with PEMS. This information could be used to develop diagnostic tests and vaccines for the emerging disease. This astrovirus is very stable and resistant to disinfection, so this information could also be used to develop kits to test for viral presence in poultry houses that have been cleaned. Diagnostic and vaccine companies could use this technology. The animal health industry will also benefit from this information, as well as turkey producers. Reference: Please refer to USPN 6,696,562, "Avian Astrovirus," (Docket #0038.00), which issued on February 24, 2004.  Foreign rights are not available. Inventors: Laura Kelley Southeast Poultry Research Lab 934 College Station Road Athens, GA 30604-5677 (706) 546-3031 / Fax: (706) 546-3161 lkelley@seprl.usda.gov Stacey Schultz-Cherry (Formerly with ARS) Bruce S. Seal (Same as first inventor) (706) 546-3463 / Fax: (706) 546-3161 bseal@seprl.usda.gov Matthew Koci (Same as first inventor) (706) 546-3031 / Fax: (706) 546-3161 mkoci@seprl.usda.gov