ATLANTA — During the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), four researchers presented their findings from recently completed research projects funded by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and its Foundation as part of the TECHTalks sessions offered during the Expo. All the researchers’ presentations have been made available on USPOULTRY’s YouTube channel and can be viewed here.
Dr. Martha Pulido Landinez, Mississippi State University associate clinical professor of avian medicine in the Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, presented her research findings from the study, “Control of Enterococcus cecorum Through Identifying Its Dynamics of Adaptation to the Chickens and Its Environment.”
This study examined how harmful strains of Enterococcus cecorum (E. cecorum) emerge, spread and survive in poultry and poultry environments. The research found that Enterococcus faecalis mainly affects embryos and very young chicks, while E. cecorum causes serious disease in older broilers, including bone, joint and bloodstream infections. Disease-causing strains were linked to a specific genetic marker and were able to survive for long periods in poultry facilities, especially in reused litter and dirty conditions, highlighting the importance of improved sanitation and management.
As part of his research findings from the study, “Identification of Early Indicators of Necrotic enteritis Disease in Broiler Chickens,” Dr. Ravi Kulkarni, North Carolina State University associate professor of population health and pathobiology, noted how he and other researchers explored whether gases released from manure and air could serve as early warning signs of necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens. The team identified two specific odor-related compounds in manure that were consistently higher in birds with NE compared to healthy birds. These findings suggest that, with further validation, low-cost monitoring tools could help poultry producers detect the disease earlier and respond more quickly.
Dr. Issmat Kassem, University of Georgia assistant professor with the Department of Food Science and Technology, investigated why some Campylobacter bacteria survive poultry processing despite antimicrobial treatments and presented his findings from his project, “Detection and Control of Processing-Tolerant Campylobacter on Broiler Carcasses.”
The research found that certain Campylobacter strains can tolerate commonly used processing antimicrobials, such as peroxyacetic acid and chlorine. Identifying these hard-to-kill strains highlights the need for alternative or additional control methods to improve food safety and reduce reliance on conventional antimicrobials.
Dr. Orhan Sahin, Iowa State University associate professor at the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, discussed a study titled, “Development of Vaccines for the Control of Chicken Spotty Liver Disease.”
The study evaluated how well a vaccine could protect chickens from Spotty Liver Disease. Results showed that more than 80 percent of birds were protected with a single vaccination, and 90-plus percent were protected with two doses. Vaccinated birds also developed strong immune responses and were protected against multiple bacterial strains, supporting continued development of a commercial vaccine to improve bird health and the sustainability of egg production.
