NEWARK, Del. Sometimes science takes unexpected buns. When University of Delaware scientist John Dohms began studying a microorganism that causes respiratory diseases in chickens and turkeys, he didn’t think his research would have hu man as well as veterinary use. But his work may provide a piece in the puzzle to find a cure for Ac quired Immunodeficiency Syn drome (AIDS). Dohms, a microbiologist in the department of hnimal and food sciences, and colleague Dr. Calvin Keeler, professor of molecular virology, are exploring the genetic structure of Mycoplasma gal lisepticum with the goal of developing a poultry vaccine. But in a satisfying twist of events, the team now finds itself in the posi tion of providing information to AIDS researchers. “It’s funny how that happens,” Dohms said “For years I’ve been following studies on mycoplas mas done by Dr. Joel Baseman at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Although Baseman now focuses on mycoplasma species found in AIDS patients, he blazed a trail for our avian research. I never thought we’d be sharing our findings with him.” Mycoplasmas, the smallest known self-replicating organisms, have been found in plants and in sects as well as in poultry and hu mans. In people, they are the pri- Paul B. Install The Gates & Fencing That Are Manufactured To Last! All Gates & Fencing manufac tured of 1.9” outside diameter high yield steel tubing with 13 gauge wall. 13 gauge steel is 15% heavier than 14 gauge, 45% heavier than 16 gauge & 85% heavier than 18 gauge. Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc. Call or write for additional information 1 mrt * w **‘ o< Ephr * u & the name of your nearest dealer • Poultry Disease Research Could Lead To New Vaccine mary cause of atypical (walking) pneumonia and certain urinary tract infections, and some species are believed to be co-factors in AIDS. Since mycoplasmas infect specific organisms, however, they cannot be passed from poultry to humans or vice versa. M. gallisepticwn, the species that infects poultry, works its way into the tracheal tissue, weakening the bird’s defense system and opening it to further viral and bac terial infection. The disease caus es decreased growth rate in broil ers and turkeys, as well as drops in egg production in laying hens. The economic damage can be catastrophic. Infected poultry is unusable and must be destroyed. A few years ago, the disease near ly wiped out a multimillion-dollar U.S. poultry supplier. “Although the disease has been eradicated for the most part in tur keys and broilers in the United States, in other countries it contin ues to be a major chronic prob lem,” said Dohms. “And here in this country the bacteria still infect laying hens that pass it on to their chicks. Many backyard flocks car ry it, and it can be spread to poul try from infected house finches.” Mycoplasmas are difficult to control by conventional means, Dohms said. Antibiotics have so far been ineffective against them. Existing vaccines, which contain mild strains of the organism, can protect poultry from getting the full-blown disease but do not pre vent infection. BCD Finished with Top Grade TGIC Polyester Coating 295 Woodcorner Rd. • Lititz, PA 17543 717/738-7365 TGIC Powder Coating Finish • Is superior to epoxy • Resists acid, chemicals • Protects against rust, corrosion • Resists chipping • Stays cleaner 4 Hinge for 3/4”pm . Round corners for welded to gate | safety & strength Slant Bar Feed Thru Fence Section “Mycoplasmas are specialized, having adapted to fit a respiratory and reproductive tract niche," said Dohms. “Unlilke most bacteria, they have no cell walls, and are bordered instead by only a mem brane. They contain between 470 and 670 genes compared to the 2,000 or more genes of typical bacteria but they have all the genetic material they need to re produce independently.” Mycoplasmas are one of the rare microorganisms that have the ability to glide, Dohms explains, and in some cases are able to swim upstream. After entering the in fected animals* respiratory tract, M. gallisepticwn attaches itself to the cilia, the hair-like tissue on the Standard Heights • 4 bar: 38" high • 5 bar: 48” high • 6 bar: 54” high u Stub welded to gate | for automatic latch Vertical bracing p ’ f Custom Built to Any Length Hours Mon.-FrL 7-5 Sat 7-11 chicken’s trachea. Dohms sus pects that it also works its way in side the host cell, where it thrives, hidden from the immune system. Dohms’ preliminary work ex amined how the bacteria attaches to the respiratory tissue of its host Using a combination of molecular biology approaches and more con ventional election microscope techniques, he isolated two cytad hesins attachment proteins on the tip of the mycoplasma cell. Dohms and Keeler are now ex perimenting with attacking the mycoplasma at the site of attach ment Using recombinant cytad hesin proteins as vaccines, they hope to coat the respiratory tissue ANDPRIDRCfI SOLID FEATURES... SOLID STAND® PRIMARY SEEDER • Large capacity six bushel seed hopper with paddle style agitator •10 non-corrosive, fluted seed cups • Full width seeding pattern • Track removers • Narrow side panel construction for close seeding The Land Pride family... quality from the ground up. Betts Equipment 3139 Windy Bush Road,Rt 232 New Hope, PA 18938 215-598-7501 C B. 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