Intestinal spirochaetes (Brachyspira spp.) colonizing flocks of layer and breeder chickens in Malaysia.

Intestinal spirochaetes (Brachyspira spp.) colonizing flocks of layer and breeder chickens in Malaysia. Avian Pathol. 2014 Sep 23;:1-19 Authors: Amin MM, Phillips ND, La T, Robertson ID, Hampson DJ Abstract Avian intestinal spirochaetosis (AIS) causes problems including delayed onset of lay and wet litter in adult chickens, and results from colonization of the caecae/rectum with pathogenic intestinal spirochaetes (genus Brachyspira). As AIS has not previously been studied in South-East Asia, this investigation was undertaken in Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 25 farms and a questionnaire was administered. Brachyspira species were detected by PCR in 198 of 500 (39%) faecal samples from 20 (80%) farms, including 16 (94%) layer and four (50%) breeder farms. Pathogenic B. pilosicoli was identified in five (29%) layer and two (25%) breeder farms whilst pathogenic B. intermedia was detected in nine (53%) layer and one (12.5%) of the breeder farms. Twelve (80%) layer farms had egg production problems and 11 (92%) were positive: three (25%) for B. pilosicoli and six (50%) for B. intermedia. Of three breeder farms with egg production problems one was colonized with B. pilosicoli. Three of ten layer farms with wet litter were positive for B. pilosicoli and six for B. intermedia. Of four breeder farms with wet litter, one was colonized with B. pilosicoli and one with B. intermedia. No significant associations were found between col...
Source: Avian Pathology - Category: Pathology Authors: Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research
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