Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

Haroldo Toro, DVM, PhD

Haroldo Toro, professor of avian diseases in the Department of Pathobiology, received his DVM degree in 1983 from the University of Chile College of Veterinary Sciences. His DVM thesis on antigenic and pathogenic characterization of avian infectious bronchitis (IBV) field isolates was directed by Dr. H. Hidalgo in the Laboratory of Avian Pathology. In 1987, Dr. Toro received his PhD from the Institute of Avian Diseases of Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Germany, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. E. F. Kaleta. His thesis work on new methods for the differentiation of IBV achieved magna cum laude. In 1987, Dr. Toro started his academic carrier at the University of Chile College of Veterinary Sciences, in Santiago. Between 1987 and 2002 his research was mainly focused on (1) local immune responses against IBV; (2) chicken anemia virus and its association with other avian pathogens; and (3) diseases of free-living birds. During this period he taught Avian Diseases to veterinary students and guided numerous DVM theses. After 15-years at the University of Chile, he joined the faculty at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2002.

334-844-2662
torohar@auburn.edu

Research Interests

My research incorporates pathological, epidemiological, etiological, and immunological aspects of viral diseases of avian species. My current research work focuses on (1) further understanding chicken anemia virus (CAV) and the interactions of CAV with other avian pathogens; (2) further understanding the role of infectious bronchitis virus in respiratory disease of commercial chickens, and (3) development of a vaccine against avian influenza virus. My laboratory of Avian Diseases includes in vivo and in vitro systems for evaluation of disease.

Selected Publications

Singh, S., H. Toro, D.C. Tang, W.E. Briles, L.M. Yates, R.T. Kopulos, E.W. Collisson (2010). Non-Replicating Adenovirus Vectors Expressing Avian Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin and Nucleocapsid Proteins Induce Chicken Specific Effector, Memory and Effector Memory CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Virology 405(1):62-9.

Toro, H. (2010). Infectious Bronchitis Virus: Dominance of ArkDPI-type Strains in the United States Broiler Industry during the Last Decade. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science12 (2): 79-86

Gallardo, R.A., V.L. van Santen, H. Toro (2010). Host Intraspatial Selection of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Populations. Avian Diseases 54:807-813.

Toro, H., F.W. van Ginkel, D.C. Tang, B. Schemera, S. Rodning, J. Newton (2009) Avian Influenza Vaccination in Chickens and Pigs with RCA-free Human Recombinant Adenovirus 5. Avian Diseases, Supl. 54:224-231.

Tang, D. C., J. Zhang, H. Toro, Z. Shi, K. R. van Kampen (2009). Adenovirus as a Carrier for Influenza Virus-Free Avian Influenza Vaccines. Expert Review of Vaccines, 8 (4): 469-481

Toro, H., V. L. van Santen, F. J. Hoerr, C. Breedlove (2009). Effects of Chicken Anemia Virus and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Commercial Chickens. Avian Diseases 53:94-102.

Toro, H., J. C. Effler, F. J. Hoerr, F. W. van Ginkel (2009). Pathogenicity of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Variant AL2 in Young Chickens. Avian Diseases 53:78-82.

Toro, H. & D. C. Tang (2009). Protection of Chickens against Avian Influenza with Non-Replicating Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccine. Poultry Science 88:867-871.

Van Ginkel, F.W., V. L. van Santen, S. Gulley, H. Toro (2008). Infectious Bronchitis Virus in the Chicken Harderian Gland and Lachrymal Fluid: Viral Load, Infectivity, Immune Cell Responses, and Effects of Viral Immunodeficiency. Avian Diseases 52:608-617

Van Ginkel F.W., D. C. Tang, S. L. Gulley, H. Toro (2008). Induction of Mucosal Immunity in the Avian Harderian Gland with a Replication-Deficient Ad5 Vector Expressing Avian Influenza H5 Hemagglutinin. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 33: 28-34

Toro, H., D.C. Tang, D. Suarez, J. Zhang, Z. Shi (2008). Protection of Chickens against Avian Influenza with Non-Replicating Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccine. Vaccine 26: 2640-2646.

Van Santen, V.L., H. Toro (2008) Rapid Selection in Chickens of Subpopulations within ArkDPI-Derived Infectious Bronchitis Virus Vaccines. Avian Pathology 37 (3):293-306.