Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Summary of Annual Meeting:

Topics discussed:

Next meeting locations: All agreed to have the meetings with the AAAP meeting.

An in-person meeting was requested before Nov. 2027; all agreed to have it with the AAAP meeting in 2027.

Chair election happened. Dr. Mostafa Ghanem was chosen as the new Chair.

Dr. Maricarmen García mentioned that most presentations were not following the correct format (following the NIMSS 1180 objectives NC1180: Control of Endemic, Emerging and Re-emerging Poultry Infectious Diseases in the United States – NIMSS). A common format for all presentations could be developed, including a short introduction for each lab.

Interest in promoting collaboration was mentioned and discussed. The idea of asking for help in the group was mentioned. Including a “help needed” section in the presentations was mentioned.

There is interest in promoting discussion about ongoing topics. Should we define a list of topics of interest before the meeting or during the meeting?

Presentations (not in order):

• Zubair Khalid et al. University of Maryland. Molecular Epidemiology and Phenotypic Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) in the Delmarva Region
• Cari Hearn et al. USDA ARS SEPRL. Identification of ILTV Genes Involved in Dysregulation of the Interferon Type 1 Response
• Maria Chaves et al. Indiana University: Sequence Typing of Avian Metapneumovirus Using the Full-Length G-Gene Sequence for the Differentiation of Wildtype from Live Attenuated Vaccine
• Maricarmen García. University of Georgia. NC1180 Project Control of Endemic, Emerging, & Re-emerging Poultry Infectious Diseases in the United States
• Chaitanya Gottapu et al. University of Illinois. Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and applicability of antimicrobial peptides (P-1 and P-2) delivered via drinking water to control Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) infections in chickens
• Jay Reddy. University of Nebraska Lincoln. Evaluate the efficacy, safety, and applicability of antimicrobial peptides (P-1 and P-2) delivered via drinking water to control Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC) infections in chickens
• Saiada Farjana et al. Auburn University. Advancing Avian Disease Solutions: Mapping Host Transcriptomics, Metabolomics, and Diagnostic Signatures Across Pathogenic Challenges
• Mostafa Ghanem et al. University of Maryland. University of Maryland Ag. Exp. Station Report 2026
• Silvia Carnaccini et al. Iowa State University. NC1180 presentation.
• Tamer Sharafeldin. South Dakota State University. Avian Metapneumovirus Vaccine Research Updates
• Ramon Zegpi Lagos. The Ohio State University. The Ohio State University, Zegpi Lab

Attendees:

Andres Rodriguez A., Saiada Farjana, Sofía Egaña Labrin, Chaitanya Gottapu, Jay Reddy, Silvia Carnaccini, Klaudia Chreslek, Cari Hearn, Maria Chaves, Abhijeet Bakre, Zubair Khalid, Daniel R. Perez, Valeria Alcayaga Toro, Muhamed Selim, Parfait Kada Florent, Mostafa Ghanem, Han-Yang Wang, Lucas Gable, Maricarmen García, Ramon Zegpi Lagos, Christina Leyson (Online)

OBJECTIVE 1 - Investigate the ecology of infectious diseases of poultry

Viral diseases: CA conducted surveillance of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in broiler and layer flocks across California and other U.S. states, including genetic characterization of circulating strains through sequencing. New California-specific IBV variants were identified, including a distinct lineage ("new lineage 27"), while surveillance also linked some detections to vaccination practices and documented DMV/1639-associated strains in layers. DE monitored respiratory diseases in poultry, focusing on IBV, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), while evaluating their association with other health conditions. IBV remained the predominant respiratory pathogen, aMPV-B continued to complicate respiratory disease cases, and disease severity increased when respiratory infections occurred alongside enteric, immunosuppressive, hepatic, or skeletal disorders. IA established experimental challenge models in chickens and turkeys for avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtypes A and B and used them to evaluate vaccine efficacy and immune responses. The work successfully developed a reproducible infection model that can support vaccine testing, immunogenicity studies, and assessment of cross-protection. DE supported regional avian influenza surveillance in commercial, backyard, and wild bird populations through the Poultry Health System and collaborating agencies. Surveillance detected avian influenza in both backyard and commercial poultry flocks during the 2025–2026 migratory season. DE conducted telemetry studies to evaluate wildfowl movement patterns and their relationship to avian influenza transmission risk. The study found that disease spread was associated with high waterfowl and poultry densities, while fragmented and urbanized landscapes reduced movement distances but may increase local transmission. SEPRL investigated Marek’s disease virus transmission, vaccination effects, host genetic resistance, and viral genetics using SPF and commercial layer chickens. The research showed that neither vaccination nor genetic resistance prevented transmission, although vaccination reduced mortality and provided indirect protection to unvaccinated contacts. MD characterized the IBDV strains circulating in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (Delmarva) from 2018-2023 (AviServe and MDA provided tissue samples). They revealed that 5 clades were co-circulating in the region, and clade 2 had become the most predominant, increasing from 25% of the samples in 2007 to 79% in 2023. Also, discovered that the contemporary IBDV strains circulating in Delmarva have amino acid substitutions in every protein encoded by the virus compared to the reference strain (DelE; clade 1), including in proteins responsible for viral replication, viral antagonism of immune responses, and viral induction of apoptosis. Bacterial diseases: GA investigated transmission pathways of different Salmonella serovars across commercial broiler production systems using environmental sampling from breeders, hatcheries, and broiler farms. The study found that Salmonella Enteritidis was primarily associated with breeder flocks, whereas Salmonella Infantis persisted in farm environments and contaminated subsequent flocks. GA characterized emerging avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) strains through pathogenicity testing and whole-genome sequencing of Georgia isolates. Results showed that mortality was influenced by both bird age and strain type, and identified emerging high-risk APEC clones with disease-causing potential. GA used genomic and phylogenetic analyses to investigate Staphylococcus agnetis strains associated with FUDS in poultry. The study demonstrated that poultry-associated S. agnetis isolates formed a distinct lineage and that whole-genome sequencing accurately identified the causative bacterial species. GA evaluated how long different Mycoplasma synoviae strains survived on materials commonly found in poultry production systems. Both strains survived much longer than expected, with the outbreak-associated S-76 strain showing superior environmental persistence that may contribute to its increasing prevalence. IA performed comprehensive comparative genomic analyses of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Avibacterium paragallinarum isolates to identify factors associated with virulence. Multiple genetic differences related to adhesion, capsule formation, nitric oxide metabolism, and cell division were identified and are likely contributors to the non-pathogenic phenotype. IA conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal field studies to determine whether Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) acts as a primary or secondary pathogen in turkeys. ORT was highly prevalent in apparently healthy flocks and was detected early in production, suggesting it is more likely a secondary pathogen than a primary cause of respiratory disease. MD and IA developed MLST schemes for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Avibacterium paragallinarum, creating global databases that support epidemiological studies and disease control strategies.

OBJECTIVE 2 - Develop new and improved diagnostic tools for infectious diseases in poultry

Viral diseases: DE monitored ND virus activity, IBV strains, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, and avian metapneumovirus in the region during the reporting period. No NDV research or surveillance findings were reported during this period. The detected IBV continued to belong primarily to common genotypes including Mass, Conn, DMV1639, and GA08. Only sporadic cases of infectious laryngotracheitis were observed. Occasional avian metapneumovirus subtype A detections were found, and outbreak strains were highly similar to strains previously reported in other regions. GA developed and optimized sequencing approaches and bioinformatic pipelines for avian metapneumovirus, NDV, IBV, and infectious laryngotracheitis virus. The resulting workflows improve the speed, accuracy, and epidemiological value of molecular diagnostics while enabling differentiation of vaccine and field strains. GA used Oxford Nanopore metagenomic sequencing to characterize viral populations in commercial broiler fecal samples. The project identified and fully sequenced Galliform chaphamaparvovirus and developed a specific PCR assay, demonstrating the power of metagenomics for novel virus discovery. IA developed and validated an Oxford Nanopore sequencing workflow for rapid detection and characterization of avian influenza virus and NDV directly from clinical samples. The platform successfully functioned under field conditions and provides a practical approach for decentralized diagnostics and real-time epidemiological surveillance. IA developed a nested PCR assay to distinguish vaccine strains from wild-type avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B circulating in U.S. poultry. The assay provided a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic tool that addresses a critical gap in outbreak investigation and vaccine monitoring. SD developed and validated an indirect ELISA assay for detection of antibodies against the emerging avian metapneumovirus subtype B. The assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity with minimal cross-reactivity, providing a reliable serological tool for field diagnostics and monitoring. SD optimized targeted amplicon sequencing and used it to obtain whole genomes of avian metapneumovirus subtypes A and B from clinical poultry samples collected across multiple U.S. states. Phylogenetic analyses identified emerging subtype A variants in North Carolina and Missouri and documented the first detection of vaccine-derived avian metapneumovirus strains in the United States. Bacterial diseases: CA performed a comprehensive analysis of the complete HMTp210 gene from a diverse collection of Avibacterium paragallinarum strains to develop a molecular classification system. The study established four major genogroups with improved genetic resolution over traditional serotyping methods and provided the basis for new qPCR assays and vaccine strain selection. IA developed a 1,233-locus core genome multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme and hierarchical life identification number (LIN) barcoding system for global characterization of Pasteurella multocida. The new framework greatly improved strain discrimination compared with traditional seven-gene MLST and enables standardized international outbreak tracking and surveillance. IA combined phenotypic testing, whole-genome sequencing, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analyses, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to improve identification of Avibacterium species. The study clarified species relationships and diagnostic characteristics, reducing the potential for misidentification and improving infectious coryza diagnostics. Parasitic diseases: AL developed an improved multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Eimeria maxima using whole-genome sequencing data to identify highly informative genetic loci for population surveillance. Seven highly polymorphic loci were selected, providing a framework for more effective strain tracking and monitoring of E. maxima diversity in vaccinated poultry populations.

OBJECTIVE 3 - Elucidate host pathogen interactions of infectious diseases in poultry

Viral diseases: AL compared transcriptomic responses in Harderian glands and tracheas of chickens vaccinated in ovo with HVT-ND or post-hatch with LaSota NDV vaccine. The LaSota vaccine induced stronger interferon-related immune gene expression, whereas the in ovo HVT-ND vaccine produced a distinct and more limited early immune transcriptional response. AL investigated tissue-specific transcriptomic responses of chicken embryos infected with low-pathogenic NDV isolates before and after serial egg passage. Infection induced a strong lung-specific interferon-mediated antiviral response, while serial passage caused only limited isolate-specific transcriptional changes, indicating substantial viral stability. AL evaluated adaptation of four wild-bird APMV-1 isolates during serial passage in embryonated eggs and Vero cells and assessed their replication and immunogenicity in chickens. Egg-passaged viruses maintained replication and induced antibody responses comparable to LaSota, whereas Vero cell adaptation reduced viral fitness and immunogenicity in chickens. CA performed long-term serial passaging of genetically heterogeneous and homogeneous avian reovirus populations in embryonated chicken eggs to study viral adaptation. The heterogeneous field isolate accumulated adaptive genetic changes and increased fitness during passaging, demonstrating greater evolutionary potential than the plaque-purified virus population. GA developed chicken intestinal organoid culture systems to improve evaluation of host-pathogen interactions involving avian adenoviruses, reoviruses, and astroviruses. The organoid platform is expected to expand diagnostic capabilities beyond genotyping and serotyping by enabling assessment of viral replication, tissue damage, and immune responses. SD isolated and propagated a U.S. avian metapneumovirus subtype B strain and developed standardized challenge models in chickens and turkeys. The virus produced consistent clinical disease, lesions, and viral shedding in both species, fulfilling Koch’s postulates and establishing a robust platform for vaccine evaluation. SEPRL identified Marek’s disease virus genes involved in suppression of type I interferon responses and evaluated PD-1/PD-L1 immune pathways as vaccine adjuvant targets. Several viral immune-evasion genes were identified, and blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathways reduced mortality, tumor formation, viral shedding, and transmission potential. SEPRL engineered cell culture models expressing infectious laryngotracheitis virus genes to determine their effects on host interferon signaling. The study identified viral genes that either stimulate or suppress interferon responses, providing new insight into ILTV immune evasion mechanisms and targets for future protein-interaction studies. MD conducted a pathogenicity study in specific pathogen free (SPF) white leghorn chickens to evaluate the pathogenic and immunosuppressive potential of contemporary IBDV Delmarva strains compared to the type strain, Delaware E (DelE. Despite the mutations in every viral protein, the clade 2 virus behaved similarly to DelE in vivo: Birds had minimal clinical signs, yet significant bursal atrophy. In addition, mutations in the capsid significantly reduced the virus neutralization titer of serum antibodies raised against Del-E in vitro (p<0.05), suggesting the substitutions drive immune escape. MD evaluated how IBDV infection influences influenza avian influenza virus pathogenesis and shedding following challenge in chickens. The IAV replicated in the upper respiratory tract, and the virus was shed from the oropharyngeal cavity, but there was no shedding from the cloaca and no transmission to sentinel chickens. IAV replication in chickens was associated with amino acid substitutions in the polymerase complex and HA. Prior IBDV infection had no significant effect on IAV pathogenicity, replication or shedding and had a modest effect on IAV diversity, increasing the number of amino acid substitutions from an average of 2.50 substitutions per sample. MD investigated the molecular interactions within IBDV virus factories (VFs). They discovered that an IBDV protein, VP3, drives the process through forming a higher-order complex with the polymerase and likely viral RNA. They also found that a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region in VP3 modulates how liquid the factories are. Bacterial diseases: GAcompared 49 U.S. Mycoplasma synoviae genomes with highly pathogenic reference strains to identify genetic markers associated with virulence. Three field isolates shared unique nucleotide signatures with known pathogenic strains, suggesting potential genetic determinants of enhanced pathogenicity. GA investigated antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in recent outbreak-associated Mycoplasma synoviae isolates from the southern United States. Known macrolide resistance mutations were not identified, but increased polymorphism in transporter-associated genes suggested alternative mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.

OBJECTIVE 4 - Develop control and prevention strategies for infectious diseases of poultry

Viral diseases: CA developed and evaluated a baculovirus-expressed VP2 subunit vaccine against avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV) in commercial laying hens. Vaccinated birds developed stronger antibody responses, reduced viral shedding and tissue viral loads, and showed improved lesions, demonstrating protective immunity against aHEV-associated disease. CA evaluated different ND vaccination strategies in Southern California gamefowl populations, comparing live-only, live-plus-killed, and live-plus-recombinant programs. Live-plus-killed and live-plus-recombinant vaccination programs produced more consistent and sustained immune responses than live vaccination alone, supporting improved protection against velogenic NDV outbreaks. GA engineered bi-segmented NDV vectors capable of expressing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) antigens and immune-stimulatory molecules. The resulting recombinant platform provides a flexible and potentially safer multivalent vaccine system for poultry. SEPRL developed recombinant NDV vector systems expressing Marek’s disease and infectious laryngotracheitis virus antigens and initiated avian metapneumovirus vaccine development using multiple viral backbones. These efforts established a versatile multivalent vaccine platform with potential for broad protection and mass application in commercial poultry. GA developed reassortment-impaired and non-transmissible H5N2 modified live vaccines by genetically modifying avian influenza virus gene segments. The resulting vaccine platform addresses concerns regarding transmission, reassortment, and reversion while supporting future mass vaccination strategies for poultry. DE evaluated an in ovo mRNA vaccine against H9N2 avian influenza and tested toll-like receptor ligands as adjuvants to stimulate innate immunity. The project generated transcriptomic data for vaccine response characterization and produced results presented at a scientific meeting. GA designed H5-specific neutralizing nanobodies and incorporated them into probiotic bacteria as a preventive strategy against HPAI. Neutralizing nanobodies were successfully identified in vitro, and probiotic-based delivery systems are being evaluated for protection in chickens. GAdeveloped alphavirus-based self-replicating mRNA vaccines and viral-like particle delivery systems expressing avian influenza hemagglutinin. Immunization generated high levels of neutralizing antibodies, demonstrating the potential of this platform for rapid and economical poultry vaccine development. GA developed avian adeno-associated virus vectors expressing broadly neutralizing influenza antibodies and Marek’s disease virus-vectored vaccines against HPAI. The technology offers the potential for continuous antibody production and long-term protection as part of an integrated HPAI control strategy. DE collaborated with USDA scientists to investigate the persistence of influenza viruses in fermented meat products under different temperature and pH conditions. Early findings were generated and disseminated, while additional studies remain ongoing. GA assessed serologic responses in broiler breeder flocks vaccinated with autogenous FAdV-8b vaccines using ELISA and virus-neutralization assays. Flocks experiencing inclusion body hepatitis exhibited lower neutralizing antibody responses, indicating that both vaccine strain selection and vaccination quality influence protection. SD developed three live attenuated avian metapneumovirus subtype B vaccine candidates derived from a U.S. field strain and evaluated their safety, efficacy, and attenuation stability. Vaccine candidate V2 provided strong protection, complete post-challenge virus clearance, and stable attenuation without evidence of reversion. SDevaluated live attenuated and inactivated avian metapneumovirus subtype B vaccines in commercial turkey poults. The vaccines were safe and protective in turkeys, with the live attenuated formulation providing superior protection and demonstrating cross-species efficacy. SEPRL evaluated recombinant HVT vaccines expressing cytokines and developed self-amplifying mRNA vaccine platforms targeting multiple avian pathogens. Cytokine expression did not significantly improve Marek’s disease vaccine efficacy, while the self-amplifying mRNA platform advanced as a promising next-generation vaccination strategy. MD evaluated the immunogenicity of a non-replicative adenovirus (Ad)-vectored vaccine against H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus. They are now optimizing dose, routes. MD also developed a Preliminary Characterized a Circular RNA Vaccine Platform for Avian Reovirus encoding the ARV Sigma-C (σC) protein. They demonstrated efficient circRNA production and robust antigen expression in both avian and mammalian cells. Bacterial diseases: DE tested feed additives designed to reduce the severity of necrotic enteritis and evaluated their effects on gut microbial communities. The study generated information on disease mitigation and associated changes in ileal and cecal microbiomes. IL developed and evaluated novel piperazine-based quorum-sensing inhibitor derivatives targeting virulence pathways in avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Lead compounds reduced virulence traits, intracellular survival, and bacterial burden while maintaining favorable safety profiles, demonstrating promise as anti-virulence therapeutics. IL evaluated probiotic-derived antimicrobial peptides delivered through drinking water as treatments for avian pathogenic E. coli infections in chickens. The peptides reduced pathogen loads, preserved gut health and microbiome diversity, and showed enhanced efficacy when combined with probiotic supplementation. Other projects: GA evaluated how different incubation temperatures influence chick quality, yolk utilization, maternal antibody transfer, and early post-hatch performance. Incubation temperature significantly affected chick quality traits and influenced maternal antibody dynamics, although antibody differences were not statistically significant. MD employed reverse vaccinology for poultry bacterial diseases. Multi-epitope vaccines for Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella Infantis were designed using computational tools across different pathogens, and in vivo validation is ongoing. MD, the University of Maryland Poultry Extension conducted a regional educational needs assessment, updating earlier assessments from 2017 for commercial poultry producers and 2011 for backyard and small-scale flock producers.

1. Raimundo Espejo, Iryna V Goraichuk, David L Suarez, Cassandra Breedlove, Haroldo Toro (2025): Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1 from Wild Birds: Population Adaptation and Immunogenicity in Chickens. Avian Diseases 69(3):243-251.
2. Benedict S, R.A. Gallardo, M.V. Machado, B. Liebros, L.P. Herve (2026): Biosecurity Assessment and Seroprevalence of Relevant Poultry Diseases in Saint Kitts Commercial Poultry Premises. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 58(5):287.
3. Magwaba, J.C.M. Dekkers, S.J. Lamont, A. Wolc, E. Mollel, J.R. Mushi, M. Walugembe, E.N. Amuzu-Aweh, G.H. Chiwanga, N. Chouicha, P.L. Msoffe, T. Kelly, R.A. Gallardo, A.P. Muhairwa, H. Zhou (2026): Estimating genetic parameters of egg production in three local Tanzanian chicken ecotypes. Poultry Science:106751.
4. Ali, R. Rahimi, M.E. Mahmoud, A.A. Shalaby, R.A. Gallardo, M.F. Abdul-Careem (2025): Genetic and phenotypic investigations of viral subpopulations detected in different tissues of laying hens following infectious bronchitis virus infection. Viruses 17(4):527.
5. M. Crossley, C.C. Miramontes, D. Rejmanek, R. Gallardo, R. Pereira (2025): In-laboratory inactivation of H5N1 in raw whole milk through milk acidification: Results from a pilot study. Journal of Dairy Science 108(3):2264-2275.
6. S. Doost, A. Yitbarek, S.K. Wootton, S. Behboudi, S. Sharif: Transcriptomic profiling reveals early immune activation and metabolic remodeling in lymphoid tissues following in ovo Marek’s disease virus mRNA vaccination in chickens. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 292:111052.
7. J. Schmidt, A.J. Feinberg, E.M. Brannick (2026): Impact of heat stress on the post-hatch growth, morphometrics, and allometry of the chicken (Gallus gallus). British Poultry Science 67(2):289-296.
8. Sharma, A. Seekatz, M. Alizadeh, H. Hassan, A. Yitbarek, S. Pratt, K. Abdelaziz (2026): Early-life supplementation of poultry-derived lactobacilli drives microbial succession and gut immune modulation in broiler chickens. Scientific Reports 16(1):5030.
9. S. Teitelbaum, et al. [B.S. Ladman, coauthor] (2026): Waterfowl move less in heterogeneous and human-populated landscapes, with implications for spread of avian influenza viruses. Ecology Letters 29(1):e70265.
10. G. Vinayamohan, A.C. Porto-Fett, B.S. Ladman, M. Murphy, P. Mann, L. Sauble, C.N. Johnson, R. Arsenault, J.B. Luchansky (2026): Avian influenza virus inactivation in beef slurries in response to food-relevant conditions of pH and temperature. Meat and Muscle Biology 10(1):21578.
11. Ayala-Velastegui, N.W. Shariat (2026): Investigating differences in Salmonella serovars transmission within broiler production. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13:1812851.
12. Runcharoon, J. Ienes Lima, Y.-Y. Tsai, R. Becerra, A. Whitfield, M. Raccoursier Frost, V. Avila Reyes, C.M. Logue (2026): Using in vitro, in vivo, and histopathological analysis to characterize the pathogenicity of novel APEC strains collected from colibacillosis cases from Georgia poultry populations. ASM Animal Microbiology e00011-26.
13. Runcharoon, J. Ienes Lima, C.M. Logue (2026): Complete genomes of 21 Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from colibacillosis cases in Georgia poultry. Microbial Resource Announcements e00186-26.
14. Runcharoon, M.E. Favro, K. Jones, R.D. Berghaus, C.M. Logue (2025): Comprehensive assessment of four different molecular genotyping panels to characterize avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) for epidemiological studies. Letters in Applied Microbiology 78:12.
15. Runcharoon, M.E. Favro, C.M. Logue (2025): The pathogenicity traits of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) O25-ST131 associated with avian colibacillosis in Georgia poultry and their genotypic and phenotypic overlap with other ExPEC. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 136(1):lxaf015
16. Runcharoon, M.E. Favro, C.M. Logue (2025): Longitudinal Analysis of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Serogroups and Pathotypes from Avian Colibacillosis Cases in Georgia: A Continued Investigation, Year 2 Analysis. Poultry Science 104(2):104722.
17. M.S. Shelkamy, C. Fay, A. Hashish, E. Gadu, M. Srednik, O. Osemeke, M. El-Gazzar (2026): Investigating the pathogenicity of novel non-pathogenic Avibacterium paragallinarum isolates and their protective potential against infectious coryza. Avian Pathology 55(3):343-360.
18. Chaves, A. Hashish, I.V. Goraichuk, L.C. Casserta, M.C. Mears, E. Gadu, A. Bakre, E.R. Alexander Morris, M.M.S. Shelkamy, S. Nadendla, D.R. Perez, M. El-Gazzar (2025): Nanopore sequencing in veterinary medicine: from concepts to clinical applications. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 15:1701570.
19. M.S. Shelkamy, A. Hashish, M.E. Srednik, E. Gadu, M. Chaves, N.R. Macedo, Q. Zhang, Y. Sato, S. Schmitz-Esser, M.M. El-Gazzar (2025): Eight complete and four draft genome sequences of nonpathogenic Avibacterium paragallinarum isolates from naive, healthy layer chickens in the USA. Microbiology Resource Announcements 14(9):e0133424.
20. M.S. Shelkamy, A. Hashish, M.E. Srednik, M. Chaves, N.R. Macedo, E. Gadu, S. Schmitz-Esser, Q. Zhang, C. Wang, Y. Sato, M.M. El-Gazzar (2025): Prevalence of Nonpathogenic Avibacterium paragallinarum in Naïve-Healthy Layer Flocks Across Multiple States in the United States. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2025:9994679.
21. V. Lopez Garcia, K.A. Jolley, K.M. Parfitt, A. Hashish, Y. Sato, M. El-Gazzar, J. Nunez-Garcia, C. Fearnley, S.K. Sheppard, M.C.J. Maiden, M.F. Anjum (2026): A standardized core genome multilocus sequence typing and life identification number barcoding framework for global Pasteurella multocida surveillance and outbreak investigation. Microbial Genomics 12(6):001733.
22. Duhan, M.H. Selim, P. Kada, M. Luqman, G. Temeeyasen, J. Radhakrishnan, T.A. Sharafeldin, S. Mo (2026): Genomic Characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus Subtypes A and B in United States Poultry by Targeted Amplicon Sequencing. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (accepted).
23. H. Selim, S. Jangra, M. Luqman, N. Duhan, G. Temeeyasen, T. Serrao, R.S. Kaushik, T.A. Sharafeldin, S.K. Mor (2026): Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroup B Virus Isolated from a Chicken Farm in the United States. Avian Diseases 69(S1):562-573.
24. H. Selim, T.A. Sharafeldin, M. Luqman, R. Gupta, P.K. Florent, S.K. Mor (2026): Experimental Pathogenicity of the Newly Emerging North American Avian Metapneumovirus Subgroup B in Chickens and Turkeys. Avian Diseases 69(S1):574-583.
25. Egana-Labrin SC, Brodrick AJ, Khalid Z, Khelbeck D, Liu M, Dong J, Broadway A, Markis M, Mondal S, Broadbent AJ. Molecular characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) strains of genogroup A2B1 circulating in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia from 2018-2023. Microbiology Spectrum, Apr 16: e0297625. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02976-25. 
26. Brodrick AJ, Liu M, Smith-Hicks G, Dong J, Egana-Labrin SC, Broadbent AJ. The C-terminus of infectious bursal disease virus VP3 encodes a predicted intrinsically disordered region, which promotes the formation of cytoplasmic puncta and modulates their physical properties. mBio, 2026 Jan, doi: 10.1128/mbio.03107-25
27. Nazki S, Tennakoon C, Reddy VRAP, Chen Y, Sadeyen JR, Brodrick AJ, Iqbal M, Shelton H, Broadbent AJ. Evaluating how infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection influences influenza H3N8 challenge in chickens. Journal of General Virology, 2026; Mar 107(3):002235. doi:10.1099/jgv.0.002235
28. Chundru, D., Jessup, A., Liakos, E., & Ghanem, M. (2026). Genotypic-Phenotypic Discordance of Antimicrobial Resistance in US Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale Field Isolates. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 100731.
29. Che, S., Goeringer, P., Ghanem, M., Rhodes, J., Perdue, M., & Moyle, J. (2026). Assessing Evolving Challenges and Educational Needs in Poultry Management: Insights from Commercial Broiler and Small-Scale Backyard Producer Surveys. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 100697
30. Ghanem, M., Harris, A., Timilsina, M., Chundru, D., Williams, M., Hashish, A., & El-Gazzar, M. (2026). A standardized, genome-guided MLST scheme for Avibacterium paragallinarum: enhanced epidemiological typing and validation against existing methods. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 64(3), e01267-25.