The objectives of this study are to characterize FDN lesions and microbiota in affected hens and create a diagnostic tool to identify FDN before death occurs.
Focal Duodenal Necrosis (FDN) is a large problem to the egg industry, costing the industry nearly $10,000 in annual income per infected flock. The disease has spread since its discovery in 1997. The main diagnosis is the appearance of duodenal ulcers that virtually disappear after death, and the overall cause of the syndrome is not known.
The results of this study will allow for scientists to use clinical chemistries to identify clinical FDN birds and advance its capacity to be studied. The evaluation of host and microbiota will provide a baseline for understanding FDN, and provide clues to potential causes.
The scientists working on this project are: Dr. Carol J. Cardona and Dr. Tim Johnson, College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Minnesota; and Dr. Dan Shaw, College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Missouri.
