Danielle Graham

By Danielle B. Graham, Christine N. Vuong, Lucas E. Graham, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias and Billy M. Hargis

Pioneer colonization by beneficial microorganisms promote a shift in the composition of the gut microbiota, excluding opportunistic pathogens. Commercially, the horizontal transmission of both apathogenic and pathogenic organisms is common during the hatching phase. The microbial bloom occurs as the humidity rises during hatch, exposing naïve chicks to a plethora of potentially harmful microbes. Horizontal transmission or introduction of pathogens may occur as infected chicks hatch or during handling after hatch pull. Moreover, contaminated infertile or non-viable embryonated eggs can serve as reservoirs for pathogenic organisms and even rupture during incubation. The organisms within the contents of these eggs can penetrate the shell of the embryonated eggs and subsequently contaminate the entire cabinet. Formaldehyde fumigation is commonly applied during the hatching phase to control the microbial bloom in the environment, but does not penetrate the eggshell prior to hatch. Additionally, this fumigation technique eliminates microbial organisms in the environment at hatch, including beneficial species. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can damage the tracheal epithelia of neonatal chicks increasing susceptibility to infection by opportunistic microbes. Laboratory challenge models that mimic the microbial bloom that occurs in commercial hatch cabinets can be used to evaluate effective alternatives to control the microbial bloom and promote colonization by beneficial bacteria without the use of formaldehyde fumigation.

Part of the book: Broiler Industry

By Güngör Çağdaş Dinçel, Luís Manuel Madeira de Carvalho, Ebtsam Al-Olayan, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Beniamino T. Cenci-Goga, Luca Grispoldi, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, Danielle Graham, Inkar A. Castellanos-Huerta, Victor M. Petrone-Garcia and Saeed El-Ashram

Part of the book: Taeniasis and Cycticercosis/Neurocysticercosis

By Güngör Çağdaş Dinçel, Saeed El-Ashram, Luís Manuel Madeira de Carvalho, Danielle Graham, Inkar A. Castellanos-Huerta, Victor M. Petrone-Garcia, Guillermo Tellez-Isaias, Beniamino T. Cenci-Goga and Luca Grispoldi

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a subtle parasite infection of the central nervous system, is a powerful example of the complex interaction between human behavior, zoonotic transmission, and neurological illness development. Given the disease’s worldwide prevalence and potentially fatal neurological consequences, research into NCC is critical for advancing knowledge, creating effective diagnostic tools and treatment options, and adopting preventative measures to lessen the disease’s impact. Cysticerci causes an immunological response in the CNS, resulting in inflammation and immune cell recruitment. The existence of intraventricular cysts, cysts in the cerebral aqueduct or fourth ventricle, and the degree of inflammation and scarring induced by the infection are all risk factors for the development of hydrocephalus. This book chapter provides an in-depth exploration of the pathology and pathogenesis of NCC, discussing the life cycle of the Taenia solium parasite, its invasion of the central nervous system, and the formation of cysticerci, as well as the diagnostic challenges and imaging findings, clinical manifestations, and potential neurological complications associated with NCC, serving as a valuable resource for medical professionals, researchers, and policymakers.

Part of the book: Taeniasis and Cycticercosis/Neurocysticercosis