Manual for the isolation, identification and characterization of avian pathogens

Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery is a practical resource offering guidance on developing diagnostic and treatment plans for individual companion poultry or small flocks. Organized by body system to aid in developing a differential diagnosis list for common presenting signs, the book provides all the information clinicians need to effectively treat backyard poultry. Written by experts from both the commercial poultry field and the companion avian field, the book provides thorough coverage of both common and less common diseases of backyard chickens, ducks, and other poultry. The book begins with introductory chapters covering general information, an overview of US laws, and basic husbandry concerns, then moves into specific disease chapters organized by system. The book takes an individual medicine perspective throughout, with photographs, radiographs, and histopathological photomicrographs to illustrate principles and diseases. Backyard Poultry Medicine and Surgery is an invaluable guide to diseases and treatments for any practitioners treating backyard poultry.

Avian Influenza (AI) and Newcastle Disease (ND) are two devastating diseases of poultry, which cause losses to the poultry industry and influence the liveability of rural communities worldwide. Following the H5N1 epidemic they appear to be endemic at least in Asia, Eastern Europe, The Middle East and Africa. Particularly in case of AI outbreaks it is essential that infection is diagnosed promptly and that isolates are made available to the international scientific community. Currently, several organisations including OIE, FAO and the EC have organised training courses in affected areas. However, often these courses do not cover all aspects of AI/ND diagnosis but only certain aspects. This results in fragmented areas of knowledge and in the application of different diagnostic protocols in different parts of the world. The objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive approach to AI diagnosis ranging from the clinical elements that should trigger a suspicion in the field, to the post mortem technique, collection of samples, processing/ shipment of specimens, virological, serological and molecular diagnosis and guidelines for notification.

"The sections in the book are organized by diseases, which are grouped by etiology. Each section consists of text and pictures of gross lesions. The majority of pictures were taken in situ to show how the lesions appear at necropsy. Although gross lesions are emphasized, etiology, clinical signs and, if applicable, pathogenesis of the disease process and transmission of infectious agent are included. More than 1,200 high-quality figures show the gross pathology of over 120 avian diseases. The overwhelming majority of pictures come from diagnostic cases that the authors have seen during their careers as avian pathologists. Several figures are included for some diseases to show gross lesions in organs and tissues that vary in distribution, extent and severity"--Publisher's description.