Clouds and Pasturella multocida

This project was conducted to improve the ability of the industry both to prevent and control fowl cholera, an important disease that can cause significant mortalities, typically in laying birds. Importantly, fowl cholera, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, has emerged as a problem in free range and organic flocks in recent years.

The project developed, validated and applied genomic sequencing approaches and bioinformatic analysis to characterise Pasteurella multocida isolates. These tools allowed for an understanding of the infection dynamics of fowl cholera on the two free range layer farms. Importantly, the project generated knowledge that explains why the killed autogenous fowl cholera vaccines used on these farms could not provide protection against the disease. With the availability of this technology, far more specific and relevant genomic-based guidance can now be provided to the vaccine companies and veterinary professionals servicing the layer industry.

This project has produced a set of tools and techniques that provide significantly better information and guidance than that possible with the current typing technologies. Overall, with the support of the knowledge that flows from the genomic and bioinformatics tools developed in this project, improved prevention and control programs for fowl cholera are now possible.