Research Project: Genetic and Biological Determinants of Avian Herpesviruses Pathogenicity, Transmission, and Evolution to Inform the Development of Effective Control Strategies

Location: Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Research

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Reconstitution and mutagenesis of avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus from cosmid and yeast centromeric plasmid clones - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Fuchs, W., Loncoman, C., Volkening, J., Ross, T.A., Riblet, S., Kim, T.N., Likens, N., Mettenleiter, T. 2023. Reconstitution and mutagenesis of avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus from cosmid and yeast centromeric plasmid clones. Journal of Virology. 97(4). Article e01406-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01406-22.

Contribution of the TCR beta repertoire to Marek's disease genetic resistance in chicken - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hearn, C.J., Cheng, H.H. 2023. Contribution of the TCR beta repertoire to Marek's disease genetic resistance in chicken. Viruses. 15(3):607. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030607.

Detection of Avian Neoplastic Disease viruses in formalin-fixed neoplastic livers of layers from farms in Kaduna and Plateau States, Nigeria - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sani, N., Abalaka, S., Ugochukwu, C., Saleh, A., Muhammad, S., Oladele, S., Abdu, P., Njoku, C., Dunn, J.R. 2022. Detection of Avian Neoplastic Disease viruses in formalin-fixed neoplastic livers of layers from farms in Kaduna and Plateau States, Nigeria. Comparative Clinical Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-022-03373-x.

Multicentric T-cell lymphoma in a domestic turkey - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

A five-year surveillance study of vaccination schedules using viral-vectored vaccines against infectious laryngotracheitis in a high-density layer region - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Santos, W.H., Spatz, S.J., Ecco, R., Wenceslau, R., Hergot, I.G., De Rocha, C.M., Ferreira, H.L., Resende, M., Martins, N.R., De Oliveira, L.B., Leão, P.A. 2022. A five-year surveillance study of vaccination schedules using viral-vectored vaccines against infectious laryngotracheitis in a quarantine high-density layer region. Avian Diseases. 42:Article e07037. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-PVB-7037.

Vaccinal efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease vaccine 301B/1 expressing chicken interleukin-15 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, T.N., Hearn, C.J. 2022. Vaccinal efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease vaccine 301B/1 expressing chicken interleukin-15. Avian Diseases. 66(1):79-84. https://doi.org/10.1637/21-00089.

Deletion of the viral thymidine kinase in a meq-deleted recombinant Marek's disease virus reduces lymphoid atrophy but is less protective - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Conrad, S.J., Oluwayinka, E.B., Mays, J.K., Heidari, M., Dunn, J.R. 2021. Deletion of the viral thymidine kinase in a meq-deleted recombinant Marek's disease virus reduces lymphoid atrophy but is less protective. Microorganisms. 10(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10010007.

Circulation and molecular characterization of hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) in commercial turkey and meat chicken flocks in Australia - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gerber, P.F., Spatz, S.J., Alfirevich, S., Walkden-Brown, S.W. 2022. Circulation and molecular characterization of hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) in commercial turkey and meat chicken flocks in Australia. Avian Diseases. 66(1):53-59. https://doi.org/10.1637/21-00095.

Differential diagnosis of lymphoid and myeloid tumors in the chicken (slide set and text) - (Other)
Dunn, J.R., Gimeno, I.M., Wakenell, P., Sato, Y. 2021. Differential diagnosis of lymphoid and myeloid tumors in the chicken (slide set and text). American Association of Avian Pathologists. 2nd edition.

Characterization of Md5-BAC-REV-LTR virus as Marek's disease vaccine in commercial meat type chickens: protection and immunosuppression - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ellington, C., Cortes, A., Faiz, N., Mays, J.K., Fadly, A., Silva, R.F., Gimeno, I.M. 2021. Characterization of Md5-BAC-REV-LTR virus as Marek's disease vaccine in commercial meat type chickens: protection and immunosuppression. Avian Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2021.1970108.

Family Herpesviridae - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Davison, A.J., Depledge, D.P., Trimpert, J., Stewart, J.P., Spatz, S.J., Schmid, S., Hartley, C.A., Szpara, M.L., Jarosinski, K.W., Vaz, P.K. 2021. Family Herpesviridae. Journal of General Virology. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001673.

Review of poultry recombinant vector vaccines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hein, R., Koopman, R., Garcia, M., Armour, N., Dunn, J.R., Barbosa, T., Martinez, A. 2021. Review of poultry recombinant vector vaccines. Avian Diseases. 65(3):438–452. https://doi.org/10.1637/0005-2086-65.3.438.

The requirement of glycoprotein C (gC) for interindividual spread is a conserved function of gC for avian herpesviruses - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Vega-Rodriguez, W., Xu, H., Ponnuraj, N., Akbar, H., Kim, T.N., Jarosinski, K.W. 2021. The requirement of glycoprotein C (gC) for interindividual spread is a conserved function of gC for avian herpesviruses. Scientific Reports. 11:7753. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87400-x.

Comparison of Marek's disease virus challenge strains and bird types for vaccine licensing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dunn, J.R., Mays, J.K., Hearn, C.J., Hartman, A. 2021. Comparison of Marek's disease virus challenge strains and bird types for vaccine licensing. Avian Diseases. 65(2):241-249. https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-20-00122.

Deletion of thymidine kinase reduces protection of Marek’s disease vaccine candidate - (Abstract Only)
Dunn, J.R., Conrad, S.J., Oluwayinka, E., Mays, J.K., Heidari, M. 2021. Deletion of thymidine kinase reduces protection of Marek’s disease vaccine candidate. American Association of Avian Pathologists. Deletion of thymidine kinase reduces protection of Marek's disease vaccine candidate [abstract].

The tegument protein pUL47 of Marek’s disease virus is necessary for horizontal transmission and is important for expression of glycoprotein gC - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Chuard, A., Courvoisier-Guyader, K., Remy, S., Spatz, S.J., Denesvre, C., Pasdeloup, D. 2020. The tegument protein pUL47 of Marek’s disease virus is necessary for horizontal transmission and is important for expression of glycoprotein gC. Journal of Virology. 95(2):1-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01645-20.

Depletion of CD8aß+ T cells in chickens demonstrates their involvement in protective immunity towards Marek’s disease with respect to tumor incidence and vaccinal protection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Umthong, S., Dunn, J.R., Cheng, H.H. 2020. Depletion of CD8aß+ T cells in chickens demonstrates their involvement in protective immunity towards Marek’s disease with respect to tumor incidence and vaccinal protection. Vaccines. 8(4):557. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8040557.

Two cases of Marek's disease in backyard turkeys - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hauck, R., Mays, J.K., Dunn, J.R., Shivaprasad, H.L. 2020. Two cases of Marek's disease in backyard turkeys. Avian Diseases. 64(3):347-351. https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-19-00177.

Pervasive differential splicing in Marek’s Disease Virus can discriminate CVI-988 vaccine strain from RB-1B virulent strain in chicken embryonic fibroblasts - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sadigh, Y., Tahiri-Alaoui, A., Spatz, S.J., Nair, V., Ribeca, P. 2020. Pervasive differential splicing in Marek’s Disease Virus can discriminate CVI-988 vaccine strain from RB-1B virulent strain in chicken embryonic fibroblasts. Viruses. 12(3), 329. https://doi.org/10.3390/v12030329.

The Secretion of Type I Interferons as a Primary Determinant of Susceptibility to Marek’s Disease Virus in Chickens - (Abstract Only)

Immune-tolerance mediated neuropathogenicity of Marek's disease vaccines - (Abstract Only)

Vaccinal efficacy of molecularly cloned Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 strain 301B/1 against very virulent Marek’s disease virus challenge - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, T.N., Spatz, S.J., Dunn, J.R. 2020. Vaccinal efficacy of molecularly cloned Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 strain 301B/1 against very virulent Marek’s disease virus challenge. Journal of General Virology. 101(5):542-552. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001403.

Pathogen transmission from vaccinated hosts can cause dose-dependent reduction in virulence - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bailey, R.I., Cheng, H.H., Chase-Topping, M., Mays, J.K., Anacleto, O., Dunn, J.R., Doeschl-Wilson, A. 2020. Pathogen transmission from vaccinated hosts can cause dose-dependent reduction in virulence. PLoS Biology. 18(3):e3000619. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000619.

The role of host genetic resistance on Marek’s disease virus transmission - (Abstract Only)

Comparative molecular characterization of three Gallid alphaherpesvirus type 3 strains 301B/1, HPRS24, and SB-1 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, T.N., Volkening, J.D., Spatz, S.J. 2020. Comparative molecular characterization of three Gallid alphaherpesvirus type 3 strains 301B/1, HPRS24, and SB-1. Avian Diseases. 64(2):174-182. https://doi.org/10.1637/0005-2086-64.2.174.

Codon deoptimization of UL54 in meq-deleted Marek's disease vaccine candidate eliminates lymphoid atrophy but reduces vaccinal protection - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Conrad, S.J., Hearn, C.J., Silva, R.F., Dunn, J.R. 2020. Codon deoptimization of UL54 in meq-deleted Marek's disease vaccine candidate eliminates lymphoid atrophy but reduces vaccinal protection. Avian Diseases. 64(3):243-246. https://doi.org/10.1637/aviandiseases-D-19-00166.

Towards a mechanistic understanding of the synergistic response induced by bivalent Marek’s disease vaccines to prevent lymphomas - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Umthong, S., Dunn, J.R., Cheng, H.H. 2019. Towards a mechanistic understanding of the synergistic response induced by bivalent Marek’s disease vaccines to prevent lymphomas. Vaccine. 37(43):6397-6404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.09.003.

MinION sequencing to genotype US strains of infectious laryngotracheitis virus. - (Abstract Only)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Riblet, S., Ross, T.A., Volkening, J., Taylor, T.L., Kim, T.N., Afonso, C.L. 2019. MinION sequencing to genotype US strains of infectious laryngotracheitis virus [abstract]. The American Association of Avian Pathologist Annual Meeting, Washington D.C, August 2-6, 2019.

Vaccinal efficacy of Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 strain 301B/1 from BAC clone against Marek’s disease virus challenge - (Abstract Only)
Kim, T.N., Dunn, J.R., Spatz, S.J. 2019. Vaccinal efficacy of Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 strain 301B/1 from BAC clone against Marek’s disease virus challenge [abstract]. American Association of Avian Pathologists Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., August 2-6, 2019.

Genotyping of infectious laryngotracheitis virus using MinION sequencing. - (Proceedings)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Riblet, S., Ross, T.A., Volkening, J., Taylor, T.L., Kim, T.N., Afonso, C.L. 2019. Genotyping of infectious laryngotracheitis virus using MinION sequencing. Proceedings of the Herpesvirus International Workshop, Knoxville, Tennessee, July 20-24, 2019.

Identification of Marek’s disease virus genes associated with virulence of US strains - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dunn, J.R., Black Pyrkosz, A., Steep, A., Cheng, H.H. 2019. Identification of Marek’s disease virus genes associated with virulence of US strains. Journal of General Virology. 100(7):1132-1139. https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001288.

Investigation of the virus genome concatemers of Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 during in vitro replication by MinION sequencing - (Abstract Only)
Kim, T.N., Spatz, S.J. 2019. Investigation of the virus genome concatemers of Gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 during in vitro replication by MinION sequencing [abstract]. 44th Annual Herpesvirus Workshop, Knoxville, Tennessee, July 20-24, 2019.

MinION sequencing to genotype US strains of infectious laryngotracheitis virus - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Riblet, S., Ross, T.A., Volkening, J.D., Taylor, T.L., Kim, T.N., Afonso, C.L. 2019. MinION sequencing to genotype US strains of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus. Avian Pathology. 48(3):255-269. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2019.1579298.

Gene expression and antibody response in chicken against Salmonella Typhimurium challenge - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dar, M.A., Urwat, U., Ahmad, S.M., Ahemd, R., Kushoo, Z.A., Dar, T.A., Shah, R.A., Heidari, M. 2018. Gene expression and antibody response in chicken against Salmonella Typhimurium challenge. Poultry Science. 98(5):2008-2013. https://doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey560.

Evaluation of protective efficacy when combining HVT vector vaccines - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Dunn, J.R., Dimitrov, K.M., Miller, P.J., Garcia, M., Turner-Alston, K., Brown, A., Hartman, A. 2018. Evaluation of protective efficacy when combining HVT vector vaccines. Avian Diseases. 63(1):75-83. https://doi.org/10.1637/11979-092818-Reg.1.

Research Update: Avian Disease & Oncology Lab and Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Unit - (Proceedings)
Dunn, J.R., Cheng, H., Heidari, M., Zhang, H., Kim, T.N., Spatz, S.J., Yu, Q. 2018. Research Update: Avian Disease & Oncology Lab and Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Unit. Proceedings of the United States Animal Health Association Annual Meeting, October 18-24, 2018.

Reconstitution of the infectious laryngotracheitis virus using bacterial and yeast genomic assembly - (Abstract Only)
Garcia, M., Spatz, S.J., Fuchs, W., Ross, T.A., Riblet, S., Kim, T.N., Locoman, Volkening, J. 2018. Reconstitution of the infectious laryngotracheitis virus using bacterial and yeast genomic assembly [abstract]. 12th International Symposium on Marek's Disease and Avian Herpesviruses, Yangzhou China, July 29-August 2, 2018.

Recombineering of the infectious laryngotracheitis genome using synthetic genomics assembly - (Proceedings)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Fuchs, W., Ross, T.A., Riblet, S., Kim, T.N., Locoman, C., Volkening, J. 2018. Recombineering of the infectious laryngotracheitis genome using synthetic genomics assembly. Proceedings of the 43rd International Herpesvirus Workshop, Vancouver, Canada, July 21-25, 2018.

Protective efficacy of molecularly cloned Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 vaccine strain 301B/1 against very virulent Marek’s disease virus challenge - (Abstract Only)
Kim, T.N., Dunn, J.R., Spatz, S.J. 2018. Protective efficacy of molecularly cloned Gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 vaccine strain 301B/1 against very virulent Marek’s disease virus challenge [abstract]. Annual International Herpesvirus Workshop, Vancouver, Canada, July 21-25, 2018.

Genomic sequence analysis of Gallid herpesvirus 3 vaccine strain 301B/1 - (Abstract Only)
Kim, T.N., Spatz, S.J., Volkening, J.D. 2018. Genomic sequence analysis of Gallid herpesvirus 3 vaccine strain 301B/1 [abstract]. Annual Convention of the American Association of Avian Pathologist, Denver, Colorado, July 14-17, 2018.

Recombineering of the infectious laryngotracheitis genome using synthetic genomics assembly - (Proceedings)
Spatz, S.J., Garcia, M., Fuchs, W., Ross, T.A., Riblet, S., Kim, T.N., Miller, P.J., Volkening, J., Afonso, C.L. 2018. Recombineering of the infectious laryngotracheitis genome using synthetic genomics assembly. Proceedings of the American Association of Avian pathologists Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado, July 13-17, 2018.

Two class I genes of the chicken MHC have different functions: BF1 is recognized by NK cells while BF2 is recognized by CTLs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kim, T.N., Hunt, H.D., Parcells, M.S., Van Santen, V., Ewald, S.J. 2018. Two class I genes of the chicken MHC have different functions: BF1 is recognized by NK cells while BF2 is recognized by CTLs. Immunogenetics. 70(9):599-611. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00251-018-1066-2.

Development of reliable techniques for the differential diagnosis of avian tumor viruses by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ahmed, H., Mays, J., Kiupel, M., Dunn, J.R. 2018. Development of reliable techniques for the differential diagnosis of avian tumor viruses by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Avian Pathology. 47(4):364-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/03079457.2018.1451620.

Attenuation of Marek's disease virus by codon pair deoptimization of a core gene - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Conrad, S.J., Silva, R.F., Hearn, C.J., Climans, M., Dunn, J.R. 2018. Attenuation of Marek's disease virus by codon pair deoptimization of a core gene. Virology. 516:219-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virol.2018.01.020.

Marek’s disease vaccine activates chicken macrophages - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Wang, D., Sun, S., Heidari, M. 2018. Marek’s disease vaccine activates chicken macrophages. Journal of Veterinary Science. 19(3):375-383. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.3.375.

Genetic diversity of infectious laryngotracheitis virus during in vivo coinfection parallels viral replication and arises from recombination hot spots within the genome - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Loncoman, C.A., Hartley, C.A., Coppo, M.C., Vaz, P.K., Diaz-Mendez, A., Browning, G.F., Garcia, M., Spatz, S.J., Devlin, J.M. 2017. Genetic diversity of infectious laryngotracheitis virus during in vivo coinfection parallels viral replication and arises from recombination hot spots within the genome. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 83(23):e01532-17. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01532-17.

A phylogenomic analysis of Marek’s disease virus reveals independent paths to virulence in Eurasia and North America - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Trimpert, J., Groenke, N., Jenckel, M., He, S., Kunec, D., Szpara, M.L., Spatz, S.J., Osterrieder, N., Mcmahon, D.P. 2017. A phylogenomic analysis of Marek’s disease virus reveals independent paths to virulence in Eurasia and North America. Evolutionary Applications. 10(10):1091-1101. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12515.

Infectious laryngotracheitis genomics: What’s circulating in the backyard flocks from the United States? - (Proceedings)
Spatz, S.J., Riblet, S., Ross, T.A., Garcia, M. 2017. Infectious laryngotracheitis genomics: What’s circulating in the backyard flocks from the United States?. In Proceedings of the 66th Western Poultry Disease Conference, March 20-22, 2017 Sacramento, California. 2017 p. 177-182.

Evaluation of vaccine competition using HVT vector vaccines - (Abstract Only)