Respiratory disease continues to be a major cause of economic losses in the poultry industry.
Diseases such as infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, infectious laryngotracheitis and avian mycoplasms are generally the outcome of complex interactions. Variable causative agents, immunosuppression, host susceptibility, and the influence of the environment effect the epizootic manifestation of respiratory disease. Understanding the pathogenesis and epizootic manifestations of respiratory disease is crucial for development of control strategies. Reduced use of antibiotics and antimicrobials has led to increased pressure on the industry to rely more heavily on other methods of disease, such as the use of vaccines as well as the more long range alternatives such as antivirals. The application of molecular and conventional research approaches is needed to identify, diagnose, and control emerging respiratory pathogens.