Bacterial Diseases

Colibacillosis (E. coli)

Respiratory signs, Omphalitis, Synovitis seen in young birds

House noted to not have adequate ventilation and water sanitation

On PM a polyserositis was seen

On isolation, bright pink colony on Mac Conkey

Pasturella Multocida (Fowl Cholera)

Sudden mortality in some birds, respiratory rate in some, and others have seen to have swollen wattles and tendon sheaths.

Birds seen to have contact with rodents and waterfowl 

On PM, unilateral pneumonia seen with enlarged mottled liver and enlarged spleen 

Mycoplasma gallisepticum 

Younger birds seen to be mainly affected

Chickens seen to have labored breathing and other respiratory signs; Turkeys on same farm seen to have swollen infraorbital sinuses.

On PM: soap suds-like appearance in air sac, as well as mucoid to catarrhal exudate seen in airways

Gives a fried egg appearance in colonies

Mycoplasma synoviae

Joints of birds swollen and eggs seen to have egg shell apex abnormality (EAA)

Infectious Coryza (Avibacterium paragallinarum)

Facial edema and conjunctivitis seen

On PM: acute catarrhal inflammation of mucus membranes of nasal passages and sinuses 

Avian Chlamydiosis 

Ill thrift seen in younger birds kept in high stocking densities. Nasal discharge seen and yellow-green diarrhea 

On PM: Polyserositis as well as enlarged and congested spleen

Histology: Intracytoplasmic inclusions when stained with Giemsa

Necrotic Enteritis (Clostridium perfringens)

Sudden onset of mortality of young flock. Live birds seen with diarrhea. Concurrent disease was suspected prior.

On PM: Friable and distended intestines covered by a psuedomembrane, also have a turkish towel appearance 

Histology: Necrosis of villi and overgrowth of bacteria seen 

Gangrenous Dermatitis (Clostridium septicum)

Increase in mortalities with carcasses decomposing rapidly with a foul odor.

On PM: crepitant skin, emphysema and serosanguinous fluid in subcutaneous tissue and hemorrhages in muscles.

Limberneck (Clostridium botulinum)

Flaccid paralysis of legs, wings, neck and eyelids in birds.

No gross or microscopic lesions.

Ulcerative Enteritis (Clostridium colinum)

White, watery diarrhea with blood in some.

On PM: hemorrhagic enteritis in duodenum and ulceration. Yellow mottling also seen on liver and a splenomegaly.

Pullorum disease (Salmonella pullorum)

Young birds are seen to be lethargic, anorexic, with some CNS signs and pasty vents.

Chicks dead in shells or some eggs aren’t hatching

PM of chicks: nodules in heart and gizzard 

PM of layers: hemorrhage see in ovary 

Fowl typhoid (Salmonella gallinarum)

Young birds lethargic, anorexic, some CNS signs and pasty vents

Older birds have shrunken combs and wattles, emaciated, greenish diarrhea 

On PM: Mahogany/greenish bronze liver as well as ulceration of small intestine 

Arizonosis (Salmonella arizonae)

Turkey poults seen to be blind as well as having diarrhea, ataxia, torticollis and some mortality

Paratyphoid salmonella

No clinical signs in chickens but a global public health concern

Kinky Back (Enterococcus cecorum)

Some birds show depression and fine head tremors, others are lame possibly exhibiting signs of paralysis 

On PM: polyserositis as well as osteomyelitis of the free thoracic vertebrae (T4) 

Bordetellosis/ Turkey coryza (Bordetella avium)

Clear mucoid nasal discharge and open mouth breathing seen in birds.

On PM: inflammation of airways as well as tracheal collapse 

Ornithobacteriosis (Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale)

Birds seen with respiratory signs, as well as blood stained mucus in mouth. Drops in egg production and neurological signs 

On PM: Unilateral/bilateral lung consolidation and pneumonia 

Erysipelas (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathaie)

Sudden mortalities seen in turkeys. Purplish blotches and swollen snoods. Occurrence increased after AI.

On PM: Hepatosplenomegaly and congestion as well as hemorrhages in pericardial fat and muscles

Staphylococcus Aureus 

Bumble foot, arthritis, synovitis, osteomyelitis and gangrenous dermatitis all seen on a farm that previously had an outbreak of Marek’s