The pathogenesis of class 9 and class 10 ILTV in Australian meat chickens

This project will characterise the pathogenesis of class 9 and class 10 infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV). These viruses cause severe respiratory disease in commercial meat chickens and are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in Australia. A comprehensive array of stored samples will be analysed in order to understand and compare the pathogenesis of class 9 and class 10 ILTV. Key areas of investigation include analysis and comparison of viral replication over time, severity of tracheal histopathology, dissemination of virus in tissues beyond the respiratory system, latency establishment in trigeminal ganglia and assessment of the use of feather pulp for rapid detection and identification of ILTV.