A “One-Two Punch Approach” Combining Autochthonous Bacteriophage Therapy and Vaccination to Control Salmonella in Turkey Production
2020 Research Project by Dr. Anup Johny, UMN
Researcher: Dr. Anup Kollanoor Johny (Interventional Microbiologist), University of Minnesota Co-Investigator: Dr. Sally Noll (Turkey Nutrition and Management), University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Researcher: Dr. Luna Akhtar (Phage biologist, Johny lab) Industry Partners: Dr. Petri Papinaho (Jennie-O), Dr. Michelle Kromm (Jennie-O) MTRPC funding amount: $66,000
The overall goal of this integrated project is to develop integrator-friendly, farm-derived bacteriophage cocktails, and vaccination in combination against Salmonella serovars in turkey production.
Specific Objectives:
Harvest and phenotypically characterize autochthonous lytic phage cocktails against emerging serogroup B Salmonella, S. Reading, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Heidelberg, and S. Agona, from commercial flocks.
Test the efficacy of phage cocktails in combination with vaccination in turkeys challenged with S. Reading.
Dissemination of results to turkey growers.
Expected Deliverables:
Farm-specific lytic bacteriophage cocktails against S. Reading, S. Agona, S.Heidelberg and S. Schwarzengrund
Vaccination and phage combination approach as an anti-Salmonella intervention on farms
Change in the knowledge on Salmonella control strategy for adoption by turkey producers for improving preharvest safety of their products.
