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May 20, 2008
Avian PDD Breakthrough
Schubot Center Announces PDD Breakthrough
Dr. Ian Tizard of Texas A&M's Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center
announced on 19 May 2008 that they have made a breakthrough in
development of a diagnostic test for Proventricular Dilatation Disease, PDD.
Dr Tizard reports they have developed a serologic test
that seems to be absolutely specific for PDD (no false positives),
although it is not yet fully sensitive (three false negatives out of
about 20 biopsy-confirmed positives). Further work remains to
identify exactly what the causative organism is and to improve the
test's sensitivity, but these results are still a tremendous
breakthrough in the battle against this horrendous disease. The
American Federation of Aviculture is proud to be one of the
supporters of this PDD research at Texas A&M through its Avian
Research Grants Program and invite all bird lovers to help the
Schubot Center continue this work by donating to AFA's 2008 Avian
Research Grants Program. Tax deductible donations may be made online
at http://www.afabirds.org/2008AvianResearchGrants.shtml
Donations may also be made by check to "AFA Avian Research Grants
Program" and mailed to American Federation of Aviculture, Inc.
P.O. Box 91717
Austin TX 78709-1717
AFA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all donations are tax
deducible to the full extent of the law.
Posted by sue at May 20, 2008 09:42 AM