Aim:This study was aimed at identifying Indian field isolates of Avibacterium paragallinarum on both molecular as well as serological levels that cause infectious coryza in chickens.Materials and Methods:Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (HPG-2 PCR), and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing were employed for molecular identification. Whereas, multiplex PCR technique was used for serological identification of Indian field isolates of A. paragallinarum.Results:All three field isolates were identified as A. paragallinarum using HPG-2 PCR. The species-specific PCR results were validated using 16S rRNA sequencing. The partial 16S rRNA sequences obtained from all three isolates showed 96-99% homology with the NCBI database reference strains of A. paragallinarum. The aligned partial sequences of 16S rRNA were submitted to GenBank, and accession numbers were obtained. Multiplex PCR-based molecular serotyping showed that there are three serotypes of field isolates of A. paragallinarum, namely, strain IND101 is serovar A, strain IND102 is serovar B, and strain IND103 is serovar C.Conclusion:HPG-2 PCR, 16S rRNA sequencing, and multiplex PCR are proved to be more accurate, sensitive, and reliable diagnostic tools for molecular and serological identification of A. paragallinarum field isolates. These diagnostic methods can substitute conventional cultural characterization and would be much valuable to formulate quick and correct prevention and control measures against this detrimental poultry pathogen.

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Preliminary results of the population-based surveillance showed a high incidence rate of CAP, particularly in elderly subjects. Based on this data a pilot vaccination program with PCV13 was implemented by the National and Provincial Ministry of Health offering PCV13 to subjects 65 years and older in Roca City. During a two years period 39% of subjects 65 years and older received PCV13.The aim of this analysis is to assess effectiveness of vaccination program to prevent all cause CAP in subjects 65 years and older.Methods & Materials: Cohort study assessed vaccine effectiveness in preventing CAP among adults 3 65 years and older. Data were gathered from the population-based surveillance database paired with national immunization registry during 2014-2016. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated (1 -(Incidence [vaccinated] ÷ Incidence [unvaccinated]). Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusted odds ratios (OR) were computed to obtain vaccine effectiveness (1-OR). We adjusted vaccine effectiveness for influenza vaccination status, age, chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD), cardiovascular disease, diabetes and nephropathic diseases.Results: During the study period 3640 adults 65 years and older were vaccinated and 34 (0.93%) suffered CAP. In 5672 unvaccinated adults 65 years and older, 467 (8.23%) suffered the same event.Vaccine effectiveness was 90.0% (CI 95%: 85.0%-93.0%), p < 0.01.Adjusted vaccine effectiveness for influenza vaccination status, age, COPD, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and nephropathic diseases was 62.0% (CI 95%: 40.0-75.0), p < 0.01. Conclusion:Our results show a 62% effectiveness to prevent all cause CAP in adults 65 years and older. Studies of effectiveness are relevant to determine the role of PCV13 to prevent CAP in adults.