Sajid Umar

Synergistic effects of thymoquinone and curcumin on immune response and anti-viral activity against avian influenza virus (H9N2) in turkeys

The main objective of this study was to determine the possible effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and curcumin (Cur) on immune-response and pathogenesis of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) in turkeys. The experiment was performed on 75 non-vaccinated mixed-sex turkey poults, divided into 5 experimental groups (A, B, C, D, and E) of 15 birds each. Group A was kept as non-infected and a non-treated negative control (ctrl group) while group B was kept as infected and non-treated positive control (H9N2 group). Turkeys in groups A and B received normal commercial feed while turkeys in groups C and D received TQ, and Cur respectively, and group E concurrently received TQ and Cur from d one through the entire experiment period. All groups were challenged intra-nasally with H9N2 AIV (A/chicken/Pakistan/10RS3039-284-48/2010) at the fourth wk of age except group A. Infected turkeys showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in turkeys in group B. All infected turkeys showed positive results for virus shedding; however, the pattern of virus shedding was different, and with turkeys in group B showing more pronounced virus secretion than the turkeys in the other groups receiving different levels of TQ and Cur. Moreover, significantly higher antibody titer against H9N2 AIV in turkeys shows the immunomodulatory nature of TQ and Cur. Similarly, increased cytokine gene expression suggests antiviral behavior of TQ and Cur especially in combination, leading to suppressed pathogenesis of H9N2 viruses. However, reduced virus shedding and enhanced immune responses were more pronounced in those turkeys receiving TQ and Cur concurrently. This study showed that supplements of TQ and Cur in combination would significantly enhance immune responsiveness and suppress pathogenicity of influenza viruses in turkeys.

Role of aflatoxin toxicity on transmissibility and pathogenicity of H9N2 avian influenza virus in turkeys.

The study was conducted to investigate the role of aflatoxin on the infectivity and transmissibility of H9N2 AI virus. The experiment was performed on 80 non-vaccinated turkeys, divided into 4 groups of 20 birds each. Group A was kept as non-infected and a non-treated negative control; Group B was inoculated intratracheally with H9N2 AI virus (1 × 107 EID50) at 4 weeks of age; Group C was fed on a diet containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin from Day 1 through the entire experiment period and Group D was fed on diet containing 0.5 ppm aflatoxin as for Group C but inoculated intratracheally with H9N2 AI virus (1 × 107 EID50) at the fourth week of age and then mixed with naïve birds. Infected and contact birds showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in birds of the aflatoxin + H9N2 group. All infected birds showed virus shedding, however, the pattern of virus shedding was different for birds of the aflatoxin + H9N2 group showing pronounced virus secretion. Similarly, efficient transmission of virus was observed between infected and contact birds, but more prominent virus transmission was seen in those birds inoculated and fed aflatoxin-treated diet. Moreover, significantly lower antibody titres against H9N2 AIV were observed in birds fed aflatoxin-treated diet, indicating an immunotoxic nature of aflatoxin as the reason for poor seroconversion. Similarly, decreased IFNγ mRNA expression and higher mortality (35%) suggest an immunotoxic and immunosuppressive effect of aflatoxin leading to enhanced pathogenesis of H9N2 viruses in aflatoxin-fed birds. The immunosuppressive nature of aflatoxin might delay influenza virus clearance and this may be one of the reasons for increased pathogenicity of H9N2 LPAI viruses in turkeys under field conditions.

Application of avian cytokines as immuno-modulating agents

Statement of Retraction We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, M. Arif, M.A.A. Shah, M.T. Munir, M. Yaqoob, S. Ahmed, M.I. Khan, M. Younus & M. Shahzad, ‘Application of avian cytokines as immuno-modulating agents’ (2015) 71:4, 643-654 https://doi.org/10.1017/S004393391500238X The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the following sections ‘Introduction’, ‘Cytokines and avian immune system’, ‘Cytokines as therapeutic agents and vaccine adjuvants’ and ‘Delivering vaccinations and adjuvants’ with the following earlier published works: Manija Asif, Kristie A Jenkins, Louise S Hilton, Wayne G Kimpton, Andrew GD Bean & John W Lowenthal, ‘Cytokines as adjuvants for avian vaccines’ Immunology and Cell Biology (2004) 82:6, 638-643 DOI 10.1111/j.1440-1711.2004.01295.x Wigley P & Kaiser P, ‘Avian cytokines in health and disease’ Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science (2003) 5:1 DOI 10.1590/S1516-635X2003000100001 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Interaction of infectious bursal disease virus with the immune system of poultry

Immune dysfunction can be either at the humoral or cellular levels and is mediated by a myriad of factors including virus-induced immunosuppression. Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) affects domesticated poultry and causing health problems mainly due to prolonged immunosuppression. Destruction of the immunoglobulin-producing cells is the principal cause of IBDV-induced immunosuppression, which leads to significant impairment of the primary antibody responses. Due to these effects, IBDV infection not only increases the susceptibility of poultry to other viral infections but predisposes the host to several other bacteria of variable pathologies. The IBDV-induced immune-suppression is well-known phenomenon, however, recently there have been significant advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of this immune-suppression. This review discuss current updates regarding the immunotoxic and immunosuppressive nature of IBDV in the poultry and highlights areas requiring future research attentions that may help to establish foundations for effective and improved vaccines against IBDV.

Chicken infectious anaemia, an immunosuppressive disease of poultry birds

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, S. Ullah, M. Yaqoob, M.A.A. Shah & M. Ducatez ‘Chicken infectious anaemia, an immunosuppressive disease of poultry birds’ (2014) 70:4, 759-766 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933914000828 The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the form of continuous sentences and paragraphs in almost all sections with the following earlier published work: Balamurugan, V. & Kataria, J.M. ‘Economically Important Non-oncogenic Immunosuppressive Viral Diseases of Chicken-Current Status’ Veterinary Research Communications (2006) 30, 541-566 DOI 10.1007/s11259-006-3278-4 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Infectious bronchitis virus: evolution and vaccination

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article:S. Umar, M.A.A. Shah, M.T. Munir, U. Ahsan & K. Kaboudi, ‘Infectious bronchitis virus: evolutio...

Recent developments in DNA vaccination approaches against poultry coccidiosis and its future endeavours

M.A.A. Shah, S. Umar, M.F. Iqbal, F. Rehman, I. Qadri & N. He, ‘Recent developments in DNA vaccination approaches against poultry coccidiosis and its future endeavours’ (2014) 70:2, 315-328 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933914000336. The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the ‘DNA Vaccines,’ and ‘Live Vaccines’ sections with the following earlier published works: Oshop, G.L.; Elankumaran, S. & Heckert, R.A. ‘DNA vaccination in the avian’ Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology (2002) 89:1-2, 1-12 DOI 10.1016/S0165-2427(02)00189-7 Martin W. Shirley, Adrian L. Smith & Damer P. Blake, ‘Challenges in the successful control of the avian coccidia’ Vaccine (2007) 25:30, 5540-5547 DOI 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.12.030 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Mycoplasmosis in poultry: update on diagnosis and preventive measures

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, M.T. Munir, Z. Ur-Rehman, S. Subhan, T. Azam & M.A.A. Shah, ‘Mycoplasmosis in poultry: update on diagnosis and preventive measures’ (2017) 73:1, 17-28 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933916000830. The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content throughout the article, particularly in the ‘Abstract,’ ‘Introduction,’ ‘Medication,’ ‘Vaccination,’ ‘Diagnosis’ and ‘Conclusion’ with the following published works; Kleven, S.H. ‘Control of Avian Mycoplasma Infections in Commercial Poultry’ Avian Diseases (2008) 52(3), 367-374 DOI 10.1637/8323-041808-Review.1 Nascimento, ER; Pereira, VLA; Nascimento, MGF; and Barreto, ML. Avian mycoplasmosis update. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science (2005), 7:1 DOI 10.1590/S1516-635X2005000100001 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.

Variation in viral shedding patterns between domestic and wild terrestrial birds infected experimentally with reassortant avian influenza virus (H9N2)

Avian influenza (H9N2) virus infection is an emerging respiratory problem and its prevalence varies significantly among different species of birds. The current knowledge about virus shedding parameters in terrestrial birds is limited. With this in mind, the present study was conducted in different domestic and wild terrestrial birds to investigate species-related differences in infectivity and pattern of viral shedding associated with H9N2 AI virus. Groups of terrestrial birds (domestic Guinea Fowl Numida meleagridis, Japanese Quail Coturnix coturnix japonica, House Sparrows Passer domesticus, House Crows Corvus splendens and Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus) were inoculated intra-nasally with A/chicken/Pakistan/10RS3039-284-48/2010 (H9N2) AI virus (106 EID50) and then examined for infectivity and virus shedding patterns. With the exception of House Crows, all infected birds showed clinical signs of different severity, showing the most prominent disease signs in Japanese Quail. All infected birds showed positive results for virus shedding, however, the pattern of virus shedding was different among wild terrestrial birds. Japanese Quail showed the highest levels of virus shedding while samples collected from House Crows revealed only very low levels. Interestingly, virus shedding was observed predominantly via the gastrointestinal tract in House Sparrows and Bank Myna and via the buccal cavity route in Guinea Fowl and Japanese Quail. Here we investigated that the novel genotype of H9N2 AI virus circulating in Pakistan causes clinical disease signs in domestic and wild terrestrial birds. The results of this study suggest that virus shedding varies between different related avian species and highlights the potential role of Guinea Fowl, Japanese Quail, House Sparrows and Bank Myna as mixing bowls for the transmission and maintenance of H9N2 AI viruses between premises.

Immunosuppressive interactions of viral diseases in poultry

We, the Editor and Publisher of World’s Poultry Science Journal, have retracted the following article: S. Umar, M.T. Munir, U. Ahsan, I. Raza, M.R. Chowdhury, Z. Ahmed & M.A.A. Shah, ‘Immunosuppressive interactions of viral diseases in poultry’ (2017) 73:1, 121-135 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043933916000829 The above article has been retracted as, subsequent to publication, significant duplication has been found in content in the ‘Infectious immunosuppressive agents,’ ‘Immunological evaluation of immunosuppression,’ ‘Immunosuppressive interventions,’ and ‘Conclusion’ sections with the following earlier published works: Hoerr, Frederic J ‘Clinical Aspects of Immunosuppression in Poultry’ Avian Diseases (2010) 54:1, 2-15 DOI 10.1637/8909-043009-Review.1 S, Shini. G.R Huff, A. Shini & P. Kaiser ‘Understanding stress-induced immunosuppression: Exploration of cytokine and chemokine gene profiles in chicken peripheral leukocytes’ Poultry Science (2010) 89:4, 841-851 DOI 10.3382/ps.2009-00483 We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”.