Faizal Careem

Vast majority of disease causing viruses use respiratory mucosa for host entry. Since host responses at the site of virus entry are key events that lead either to the prevention or establishment of a viral infection, it is imperative to understand the immunological events immediately following viral infection at the site of virus entry. Investigations into these events will enable us to identify key innate immune mediators that can be used in the control of viral infections. With a view of economic and public health importance of respiratory viral infections, my research program focuses on (a) studying mucosal innate immune responses to respiratory viral infections (b) identifying key immunological mediators involved in innate immune responses elicited at respiratory mucosa, particularly in lungs (c) designing infection control strategies based on immune modulators to prevent respiratory viral infections. Current research projects: 1.Innate immunity to infectious bronchitis corona virus infection in chickens 2.Stimulation of innate immune system for the control of poultry respiratory viral infections 3. Characterization of infectious laryngotracheitis herpes virus circulating in Canada backyard flocks, determining the transmission potential to commercial poultry