Ravi Kulkarni

IMMUNOLOGY, INFECTIOUS DISEASES and DISEASE CONTROL Kulkarni laboratory focuses on studying 'host-microbe interaction' with a focus in the areas of immunology, microbiology, Probiotics and vaccines that are crafted into on three major research programs: 1. Improving gut health and developing alternatives to antibiotics: The traditional use of antibiotics as feed supplements to control enteric infections in poultry production has come under greater scrutiny in recent years. While this has pushed the industry to grow birds without antibiotics, it also has caused increased spikes in the incidences of enteric diseases. My laboratory focuses on studying three such diseases that have severe economic impacts on the poultry industry. These are Necrotic enteritis (NE) caused by Clostridium perfringens, Clostridial dermatitis (CD) caused by Clostridium septicum and Coccidiosis caused by Eimeria protozoa. The two specific research areas related to this topic are: i. Understanding immune responses against Clostridial and Eimeria pathogens: ii. Probiotics and Vaccines against NE and CD: 2. Viral immunology and boosting vaccine-induced immunity in poultry: Understanding immunity to viral diseases and mechanisms to boost virus-induced immunity in poultry enables advanced research-based intervention strategies for effective disease control. Kulkarni laboratory studies virus/ vaccine-induced responses against Marek’s disease (MD) and Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) in chickens. This work also includes identifying molecular adjuvants to boost MD and ILT vaccine-induced responses. 3. Precision Health technologies: Precision Livestock Farming in poultry production is on the rise in recent years targeted at early detection of diseases using sensor-based tools. Through collaboration with Ag- engineering faculty at CALS-NCSU, Kulkarni laboratory works on developing sensor-based precision tech tools to detect volatile organic compounds (VOC) released in the air during early disease development of necrotic enteritis, coccidiosis and clostridial dermatitis in poultry.

[2026] Clostridium septicum Alpha Toxin-Based Recombinant Subunit Vaccine Protects Broiler Chickens Against Clostridial Dermatitis [2026] Evaluating the Effect of Acetylsalicylic Acid in Turkey Poults Experimentally Infected with Coccidia [2025] Characterization of immunopathological changes in the feather pulp of CVI988-vaccinated pullets challenged with a very virulent plus Marek’s disease virus strain [2025] Effect of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens During Subclinical Necrotic Enteritis [2025] Major Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens in Poultry: Implications for Human Health and the Poultry Industry and Probiotic Mitigation Strategies [2025] Protection Conferred by Gallid Alphaherpesvirus 2 Vaccines Again