Poultry G.I IVA Diseases

Avian bornavirus

What is the etiologic agent of proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)

Candida:CS

1. Listlessness

2. Inappetence

3. Thickened mucosa and whitish, raised pseudomembranes in the crop, mouth, and esophagus

4. ± Shallow ulcers and necrotic epithelium sloughing

Candida:DX

1. Clinical presentation

2. Histo:

   1. Tissue invasion by yeast forms: Pseudohyphae, Blastospores

3. Culture: while commonly used, is not definitive alone due to the commensal nature of Candida

Candida:TX

1. Antifungal: Nystatin

   1. No products are specifically approved for poultry in the US

2. Improving farm sanitation and water quality

3. Judicious use of antibiotics to avoid disrupting gut flora

Preventive measures focus on maintaining balanced microflora and good husbandry practices.

Trichomoniasis:CS

1. Yellowish, caseous plaques in the mouth, crop, and esophagus

2. Difficulty swallowing and eating

3. Weight loss and poor growth

4. Regurgitation and crop stasis

5. Dyspnea if lesions obstruct the trachea

6. General lethargy and depression

Trichomoniasis:DX

1. HX and Examination

2. Characteristic lesions in the mouth, crop, and esophagus

3. Microscope exam of wet mounts of crop or throat swabs to identify Trichomonas organisms

4. PCR for definitive identification

Trichomoniasis:TX

1. Antiprotozoal: Metronidazole or Ronidazole

2. Good nutrition + Hydration

3. Remove necrotic plaques manually if necessary

4. Isolating affected birds to prevent the spread

Salmonella Pullorum:CS

1. High mortality in young chicks

2. White, pasty diarrhea

3. Anorexia and depression

4. Huddling under heat sources

Salmonella Gallinarum (Fowl Typhoid):CS

1. Acute or chronic disease in adult birds

2. Yellow-green diarrhea

3. Anemia and pale combs and wattles

4. Decreased egg production

5. Hepatosplenomegaly

Non-host-specific serotypes (e.g., S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium):CS

1. Diarrhea and dehydration

2. Decreased growth rate

3. Drop in egg production

4. Asymptomatic carriers

Salmonellosis:DX

1. Hx +Exam

2. Isolation and identification of Salmonella

   1. Feces, tissues, or eggs

3. Serology: ELISA to detect antibodies

4. PCR

Salmonellosis: TX

1. ABX: based on sensitivity testing

2. Good nutrition + Hydration

3. Strict biosecurity to prevent the spread

4. Probiotic supplementation to support gut health

Salmonellosis: Prevention and Control

1. Vaccination of poultry with appropriate Salmonella vaccines

2. Good biosecurity practices to limit exposure to the bacteria

3. Proper sanitation and disinfection of facilities

4. Regular monitoring and rapid response to outbreaks

5. Control of rodents and other pests that can harbor Salmonella

Ascaridia galli (Roundworm):C.S

1. Weakness + Poor growth

2. Drop in egg production.

3. Severe infections: blockages in the intestinal tract.

Ascaridia galli (Roundworm):D.X

1. Identification of thick, white worms in feces or during necropsy

2. Fecal flotation

Ascaridia galli (Roundworm):T.X

1. Fenbendazole

2. Piperazine

Ascaridia galli (Roundworm):Prevention

1. Regular cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses and equipment.

2. Proper management of litter and avoiding overcrowding can reduce exposure to infective eggs.

Heterakis gallinarum (Cecal Worm):C.S

1. Often asymptomatic

2. Heavy infestation: Weight loss + Damage to the ceca, potentially leading to secondary infections like histomoniasis.

Heterakis gallinarum (Cecal Worm):D.X

1. Detection of slender, white worms in the ceca during necropsy or eggs in fecal samples using flotation.

Heterakis gallinarum (Cecal Worm): T.X

1. Fenbendazole effective

2. Especially when administered in feed or water.

Heterakis gallinarum (Cecal Worm): Prevention

1. Effective management of sanitation and housing conditions.

2. Rotating pastures and controlling intermediate hosts like earthworms and insects can help reduce infection rates

Capillaria spp. (Hairworms): C.S

1. Emaciation

2. Diarrhea

3. Severe intestinal inflammation if the worms burrow into the mucosa.

Capillaria spp. (Hairworms):D.X

1. Microscopic examination of feces for the detection of thin, hair-like worms or their eggs.

Capillaria spp. (Hairworms):T.X

1. Levamisole and Fenbendazole

Capillaria spp. (Hairworms):Prevention

1. Maintaining dry bedding and proper hygiene can prevent the proliferation of intermediate hosts, reducing the risk of infection.

Raillietina spp. (Tapeworms):C.S

1. Heavy infestations can cause weight loss,

2. Decreased egg production

3. Intestinal blockages.

Raillietina spp. (Tapeworms):D.X

1. Observation of segments or whole worms in feces or at necropsy.

Raillietina spp. (Tapeworms): T.X

1. Praziquantel and niclosamide are effective against tapeworms, but their use in poultry might be limited depending on local regulations.

Raillietina spp. (Tapeworms):Prevention

1. Control of insect populations within poultry houses and proper feed storage to prevent contamination by intermediate hosts.

Marek's disease:CS

• Neurological form: Paralysis of legs, wings, and neck; ataxia; and torticollis (twisting of the neck).

• Visceral form: Tumors in organs such as the liver, spleen, heart, and kidneys.

• Cutaneous form: Nodular lesions on the skin, particularly around feather follicles.

• Ocular form: Graying of the iris (ocular lymphomatosis), leading to blindness.

• Immunosuppression: Increased susceptibility to secondary infections.

Marek's disease:

• History and clinical examination

• Necropsy findings of tumors in organs and nerves

• Histopathological examination of tissues

• PCR and virus isolation for definitive diagnosis

• Serology tests to detect antibodies

Marek's disease:

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Marek's disease. Management focuses on supportive care:

• Ensuring good nutrition and reducing stress

• Treating secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics

• Implementing biosecurity measures to prevent the spread

Marek’s disease: Prevention

• Vaccination of chicks at hatch with Marek's disease vaccines

• Good biosecurity practices to limit exposure to the virus

• Proper sanitation and disinfection of facilities

• Regular monitoring and rapid response to outbreaks

Leucocytozoonosis

• Anemia and pallor of comb and wattles

• Weakness and lethargy

• Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)

• Decreased feed intake and weight loss

• Greenish diarrhea

• Sudden death in severe cases

• Enlarged spleen and liver upon necropsy

Leucocytozoonosis

• History and clinical examination

• Microscopic examination of blood smears to identify the parasites

• PCR for definitive identification

• Necropsy findings, including splenomegaly and hepatomegaly

Leucocytozoonosis

There is no specific treatment approved for leucocytozoonosis in poultry. Management focuses on supportive care and controlling secondary infections:

• Providing adequate nutrition and hydration

• Reducing stress in the flock

• Using antiprotozoal drugs (e.g., pyrimethamine) under veterinary guidance

• Treating secondary bacterial infections with antibiotics

Leucocytozoonosis:Prevention

• Good vector control practices to limit exposure to blackflies and midges

• Using insect repellents and screens in poultry houses

• Proper sanitation and waste management to reduce breeding sites for vectors

• Isolating affected birds to prevent the spread to healthy individuals

Histomoniasis:CS

• History and clinical examination

• Post-mortem examination revealing characteristic cecal and liver lesions

• Microscopic examination of tissue samples for Histomonas meleagridis

• PCR for definitive identification

Histomonas meleagridis is transmitted through the ingestion of embryonated eggs of the cecal worm Heterakis gallinarum, which acts as a vector

Histomoniasis:DX

• History and clinical examination

• Post-mortem examination revealing characteristic cecal and liver lesions

• Microscopic examination of tissue samples for Histomonas meleagridis

• PCR for definitive identification

Histomoniasis:TX

• Good biosecurity practices to limit exposure to Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis

• Regular deworming to control cecal worm populations

• Proper sanitation and disinfection of facilities

• Isolating affected birds to prevent the spread to healthy individuals

Histomoniasis:Prevention

• Good biosecurity practices to limit exposure to Heterakis gallinarum and Histomonas meleagridis

• Regular deworming to control cecal worm populations

• Proper sanitation and disinfection of facilities

• Isolating affected birds to prevent the spread to healthy individuals

Coronaviral enteritis(Bluecomb Disease):CS

Turkey DZ rapid spread within flock

• Watery, frothy diarrhea

• Dehydration

• Depressed feed intake

• Weight loss and poor growth

• Cyanosis of the head (hence the name bluecomb)

• Increased mortality, especially in young poults

Coronaviral enteritis(Bluecomb Disease):DX

• History and clinical examination

• Detection of the virus via PCR or ELISA

• Histopathological examination of intestinal tissues

• Electron microscopy for virus visualization

Coronaviral enteritis(Bluecomb Disease):TX

There is no specific antiviral treatment for coronaviral enteritis. Management focuses on supportive care:

• Hydration and electrolyte replacement

• Nutritional support

• Antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infections

Coronaviral enteritis(Bluecomb Disease):Prevention

• Good biosecurity practices to limit the introduction and spread of the virus

• Sanitation and disinfection of facilities

• Avoiding overcrowding and stress

• Isolating affected birds to prevent the spread to healthy individuals

Coccidiosis:C.S

Eimeria

• Diarrhea, often bloody or mucous-filled

• Dehydration

• Weight loss and poor growth

• Reduced feed intake

• Depression and lethargy

• High morbidity and variable mortality

Coccidiosis:DX

• History and clinical examination

• Microscopic examination of feces for oocysts

• Post-mortem examination revealing intestinal lesions

• PCR for species identification

Coccidiosis:TX

Treatment of coccidiosis includes the use of anticoccidial drugs such as amprolium, sulfa drugs, and ionophores. Supportive care, including hydration and proper nutrition, is also crucial.

Coccidiosis: Prevention

• Good hygiene and management practices

• Regular cleaning and disinfection of facilities

• Use of anticoccidial medications in feed

• Vaccination against coccidiosis

Vaccination Routes for Poultry