A5086415921- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Coccidia and coccidiosis research
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Malaria Research and Control
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Insect and Pesticide Research
University of Georgia
2021-2025
Georgia College & State University
2024
Emory University
2022
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a geographically widespread, popular game bird and conservation icon in North America. Following successful reestablishment parts of the US Canada, regional declines have fueled population health concerns; therefore, understanding mortality causes spatiotemporal patterns disease important to uncover potential ongoing future risks. Histomonosis, caused by trichomonad Histomonas meleagridis, well-established potentially fatal Turkeys; however, its...
Recent spillback events of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to animals has raised concerns about it becoming endemic in wildlife. A sylvatic cycle could present multiple opportunities for repeated into human populations and other susceptible Based on their taxonomy natural history, two native North American wildlife species -the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) the raccoon (Procyon lotor) -represent a high likelihood susceptibility ecological opportunity infected with SARS-CoV-2. Eight skunks...
Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are a taxonomically varied group of that affect the health many avian species, including ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), popular upland game bird whose numbers in decline portions its range. Hunter-harvested tissue samples were tested for arboviruses during 2018-2022 hunting seasons Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, USA. A low percentage harvested infected with West Nile virus (8/1892; 0.4%), eastern equine encephalitis (18/1892; 1.0%), Highlands J...
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) and reticuloendotheliosis (REV) are oncogenic retroviruses that can cause in wild domestic fowl. infections common widespread Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) the US east-central Canada, while REV has been detected worldwide numerous avian host species. We tested tissues (spleen, liver, and/or bone marrow, plus neoplastic tissue, if present) from 172 underwent necropsy December 2018 through October 2021 for both viruses using PCR. evaluated...
Report of a human death and exposure white-tailed deer to Heartland virus (HRTV) in Georgia, USA, prompted the sampling questing ticks during 2018-2019 26 sites near where seropositive were captured residence case-patient. We processed 9,294 Amblyomma americanum pools by isolation Vero E6 cells reverse transcription PCR. Positive underwent whole-genome sequencing. Three positive for HRTV (minimum infection rate 0.46/1,000 ticks) none Bourbon virus. Cell cultures confirmed presence 2 pools....
The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has been undergoing a range-wide population decline. Potential causes for declines across its historic range have investigated decades and include habitat loss fragmentation variety of parasitic infectious diseases. Although there studies on bobwhite ecology in Oklahoma, USA, relatively little is known about parasites pathogens the region. We evaluated health free-ranging bobwhites from nine sites western Oklahoma. From 2018 to 2020, 206 were gross...
Abstract Skunks and raccoons were intranasally inoculated or indirectly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Both species are susceptible infection; however, the lack of, low quantity of infectious virus shed by skunks, respectively, cage mate transmission in both species, suggest that neither competent SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs. Article Summary Line Experimental inoculation North American striped skunks showed susceptibility infection, but transient, low-level shedding suggests is likely be a natural reservoir.
West Nile virus (WNV) has been implicated in regional declines of numerous North American bird species, although its potential impact upon many including some game birds, remains unknown. Specifically, information about susceptibility to infection and outcome are crucial assessing health risks. Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) a popular common across much the United States, as well captive breeding programs backyard birds. Two age groups bobwhites were subcutaneously inoculated...
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an exogenous alpharetrovirus that sporadically causes fatal lymphoid neoplasia in affected turkeys. Previous studies of wild turkeys (Meleagridis gallopavo) the United States have demonstrated geographically widespread LPDV infection and frequent coinfection with avian poxvirus (APV) reticuloendotheliosis (REV). This study was conducted to better understand health risks Mississippi turkeys, including relative importance LPDV, APV, REV contributing...
Since the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) to North America in 1999, WNV is estimated have contributed population-level declines numerous avian species. However, potential impacts this on many free-ranging upland game bird species, including wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which undergoing regional population declines, remain unknown. Herein, two age groups (∼5 6 weeks and ∼15 16 post-hatch) juvenile turkeys were subcutaneously inoculated with WNV, sampled daily from 1 7 days...
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) was first documented in wild turkeys North America 2009. LPDV infection is often subclinical but can manifest as lymphoid proliferation or round cell neoplasia. Despite high prevalence across many sampled areas corresponding to declining populations of turkeys, knowledge regarding pathogenesis, risk factors for development, and associated impacts on population dynamics are unknown. To understand transmission, viral shedding, tissue tropism, we...
Wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are an important game species throughout the geographic range. Populations multiple regions of US have been declining, including in Kentucky, US, raising concerns among managers and resource users. To better understand overall population health, we performed postmortem examinations targeted pathogen, mineral, toxicant testing on 36 adult male, apparently healthy, wild that were hunter harvested western Kentucky during April 2018. We found birds fair to good...