Mission:
The Respiratory Diseases of Livestock Research Unit investigates respiratory diseases of complex etiology looking at the clinical and pathological manifestations induced by the presence of multiple microorganisms. These are serious diseases whose etiologic agents are sometimes difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. The Unit consists of 3 CRIS projects created to investigate innovative approaches to solving bacterial diseases of the respiratory tract of cattle, swine, and poultry. These include the Bovine Viral Disease Pathogenesis and Immunology; Countermeasures to prevent the Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC); and Countermeasures to Prevent and Control Respiratory Pathogens of Poultry. Areas of research emphasis include: development of immunodiagnostic test procedures, development of vaccines, and determination of mechanisms involved in immune protection and disease production. These projects will allow us to better identify new and emerging pathogens in the respiratory tract of livestock and to devise methodology to interrupt pathogen infection at mucosal surfaces. We will define the immune responsive elements in mucosal tissues; develop a panel of reagents to better diagnose diseases and determine immune status, and develop new vaccines by expanding our knowledge of vaccine vector technologies and exploring the role of novel approaches in stimulation immune responses.