Theses and Dissertations
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2648-3729
Advisor
Zhang, Li
Committee Member
Jia, Linan
Committee Member
Zhang, Xue
Committee Member
Adhikari, Pratima
Committee Member
Macklin, Ken
Date of Degree
5-16-2025
Original embargo terms
Embargo 1 year
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Agriculture (Poultry Science)
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department
Department of Poultry Science
Abstract
Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in poultry, contributing an estimated $40 million in annual losses in the U.S. broiler industry alone, and contributing to growing concerns over antibiotic resistance. This study investigated the role of the pagP gene, which encodes a lipid A palmitoyl transferase involved in immune evasion, using both a broiler chick and embryo challenge model. Deletion of pagP significantly reduced mortality and lesion severity in broilers, indicating its role in APEC pathogenicity. However, in embryos, pagP deletion had minimal effects on survival and bacterial colonization, suggesting alternative virulence mechanisms compensate for its loss. Body weight analysis revealed unexpected metabolic effects, with pagP deletion impacting post-hatch growth. These findings highlight pagP as a potential vaccine target, particularly for post-hatch APEC infections. Further research should explore its immunogenicity, long-term effects, and potential for reducing APEC transmission, providing critical insights for poultry health management and vaccine development.
Sponsorship (Optional)
This publication is a contribution of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hatch project under accession number MIS-322430/NE2442. Additional funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, number USDA ARS 59-6064-4-001 and 59-6064-4-003.
Recommended Citation
Fugate, Hailey, "Assessment of pagP gene function in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenicity using different challenge models" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 6487.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6487
