Method and composition for preventing and treating avian influenza in poultry

Abstract

A method and composition for preventing and treating Avian Influenza utilizes an effective quantity of polyphenolic(s) and its derivatives in combination with a carrier. The anti-avian influenza ingredient having a composition selected from the group consisting of theaflavin, theaflavin-3,3′-digallate, theaflavin-3-monogallate, theaflavin-3 gallate, theaflavin-3′-gallate, thearubigin, gallic acid, tannic acid, (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−)epigalloatechin (EGC), (+)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), and catechin.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a non-provisional application of a provisional application having an application No. 60 / 846,311 and a filing date of Sep. 20, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of Invention [0003] This invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing and treating disease in poultry. [0004] 2. Description of Related Arts [0005] Poultry are domesticated birds that are raised by farmers for meat and eggs. Poultry includes, without limitation, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, and pheasants. An example of a commercially raised duck is the White Pekin duck. [0006] Examples of commercially raised geese are Embden, Toulouse, Chinese goose, African goose, Sebastopol, Pilgrim, and American Buff breeds. Examples of commercially raised turkeys include White, Hollands, Bronze, Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Black, Slate, Royal Palm, Beltsville, and Small White breeds. [0007] Examples of commercially raised chickens ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022] It is a principal object of the invention to provide a method a

Problems solved by technology

As used herein, avian influenza is influenza that adversely affects at least some poultry by causing flu symptoms, and possibly death, in the poultry.

The symptoms produced in poultry by avian influenza range from a mild illness to a highly contagious and rapidly fatal “highly pathogenic” form of the disease that can produce severe epidemics.

One problem with avian influenza viruses is that viruses of low pathogenicity can, after circulating for a relatively short period of time, mutuate in highly pathogenic viruses.

Another problem with avian influenza viruses is that they are highly contagious.

A further problem with avian influenza viruses is that they are readily transmitted from farm to farm by mechanical means including, for example, contaminated equipment, vehicles, feed, cages, and clothing.

Still another problem with avian influenza is that highly pathogenic viruses can survive for long periods in the environment, especially when temperatures are low.

Still a further problem with avian influenza is that influenza A viruses, including subtypes from different species (i.e., humans and poultry), can swap or “reassort” genetic materials and merge.

Antigenic shift typically results in highly lethal pandemics.

The farmer can contaminate his clothes and his tractor with the virus.

This outbreak was an economic disaster for the poultry industry, caused loss of human life, and sounded alarm bells of an impending human influenza pandemic.

However, attempts at poultry vaccination programs for avian influenza have not been successful and there are currently no anti-avian influenza medications available for use by the poultry industry.