Spotlight on avian pathology:, the cause of Spotty Liver Disease in layers.

Abstract

was recently identified as the aetiological agent of Spotty Liver Disease (SLD). SLD causes significant health and productivity losses in the Australian egg industry and the disease is present in other countries. Following the isolation and characterization ofmolecular tools and refined culturing methods have been developed to identify the pathogen. It is suspected that the application of these tools will lead to identification of the pathogen in many poultry production systems throughout the world. Ashas only recently been identified, little is known about the mechanisms of pathogenesis and, hence, new research needs to be directed towards understanding SLD epidemiology andvirulence mechanisms to inform efforts to develop intervention strategies.