Detection of < em > Enterococcus cecorum < /em > to identify persistently contaminated locations using faecal and environmental samples in broiler houses of clinically healthy flocks

Avian Pathol. 2024 Mar 25:1-20. doi: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2334682. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTWorldwide outbreaks make infections with pathogenic strains of Enterococcus cecorum (EC) one of the most important diseases in the broiler industry. Although research has increased knowledge about the pathogen, the transmission is not fully understood. Samples from different locations were collected from two broiler farms in Germany over a total of six production cycles. Samples were collected at days 1, 5, 10, 15, 21, 27, 34, 41 post-hatch and after cleaning and disinfection (C&D). A total of 1017 samples were collected from 25 different locations on the farms. Samples were analysed in the laboratory for EC by quantitative real-time PCR. Overall, 7.5% of the samples were positive. The probabilities for positive and negative samples did not differ between the farms. The number of findings differed significantly between the cycles. Compared to other samples, the chances of detecting EC in faecal samples were significantly higher. Most positive samples were found in the last week of the production periods, indicating an accumulation of EC in the barn environment. After C&D, positive PCR results were obtained in four out of 14 locations. A re-entrainment from contaminated environment seemed possible. However, one pooled faecal sample was positive one day post-hatch. The locations that showed positive results after C&D and the positive faecal sample one day post-hatch ind...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Source Type: research