Alex J. Bermudez
Associate Professor - Director (VMDL)
DVM, University of Illinois MS, University of Illinois Diplomate, American College of Poultry Veterinarians
Research emphasis: A research group composed of Drs. David Ledoux (Animal Science), George Rottinghaus (Veterinary Biomedical Sciences) and Bermudez have had a continued interest on the effects of mycotoxins on the production and immune system of poultry. This research group continues to be active in the area of evaluating potential mycotoxin binders that can be added to the feed and prevent mycotoxicosis. Dr. Bermudez's research focus over the past 3 years has been on the intestinal parasite Cochlosoma anatis and the effect it has in turkeys. His research has demonstrated that this parasite causes significant production losses in infected turkeys. The protozoa is a labile organism susceptible to environmental extremes and most commonly used disinfectants. Numerous antiprotozoal treatment regimens have been tested and a practical and legal drug treatment to control this parasite has been identified. Current research is on the effects of multiple enteric pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, in turkeys.
Teaching: Avian Pathology
Selected publications:
Schulz, J. H., A. J. Bermudez, J. L. Tomlinson, J. D. Firman, and Z. He. Comparison of Radiotransmitter attachment techniques with captive mourning doves. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 9:771-782. 2001.
Suedmeyer, W. K., R. L. Witter, and A. J. Bermudez. Hemangiosarcoma in a golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus). J. of Avian Med. and Surgery. 15:126-130. 2001.
Dubey, J. P., G. C. Johnson, A. Bermudez, K. W. Suedmeyer, and D. L. Fritz. Neural Sarcocystosis in a Straw-necked ibis (Carphibis spinicollis) associated with a Sarcocystis neurona-like organism and description of muscular sarcocysts and an unidentified Sarcocystis species. J. Parasitol. 87:1317-1322. 2001.
Suedmeyer, W. K., A. J. Bermudez, B. C. Barr, and A. E. Marsh. Acute pulmonary Sarcocystis falcatula-like infection in three Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura Victoria) housed indoors. J. of Zoo and Wildlife Med. 32:252-256. 2001
Broomhead, J.N., D.R. Ledoux, A.J. Bermudez, and G.E. Rottinghaus. Chronic Effects of Fumonisin B1 in broilers and turkeys fed dietary treatments to market age. Poultry Sci., 81:56-61. 2002.
Suarez, D.L., P. R. Woolcock, A. J. Bermudez, and D. A. Senne. Isolation from turkey breeder hens of a reassortment H1N2 influenza virus with swine, human, and avian lineage genes. Avian Dis., 46:111-121. 2002.
Suedmeyer, W. K., A. J. Bermudez, and W. H. Fales. Treatment of epidermal cyst associated with Aspergillus fumigatus and Alternaria species in a silky bantam chicken. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. 16:133-137. 2002.
Broomhead, J. N., D. R. Ledoux, A. J. Bermudez, and D. E. Rottinghaus. Chronic effects of moniliformin in broilers and turkeys fed dietary treatments to market age. Avian Dis., 46:901- 908. 2002.
Ranos-Vara, J. A., F. Del Piero, M. Kiupel, S. D. Fitzgerald, A. J. Bermudez, G. Johnson, and M. A. Miller. Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry of Equine and Avian Infectious Disease. J. of Histotechnology, 25 (4): 1-14. 2002.
Watts, C.M. Y.C. Chen, D.R. Ledoux, J.N. Broomhead, A.J. Bermudez, and R.E. Rottinghaus. Effects of multiple mycotoxins and a hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate in poultry. International J. of Poultry Sci., 2:372-378. 2003.
Ledoux, D.R., J.N. Broomhead, A.J. Bermudez and G.E. Rottinghaus.
Individual and combined effects of the Fusarium mycotoxins fumonisin B1 and
moniliformin in broiler chicks. Avian Dis.. 47:1368-1375. 2003.