Evaluation of turkey arthritis syndrome by traditional and advanced diagnostic techniques

Abstract

To detect possible causes of arthritis in turkey flocks with emphasis on molecular detection of bacterial pathogens and estimation of their pathology pattern. Design: Descriptive study Procedure: A total of 100 arthritic legs from 125 French turkey birds were collected from different farms in Sharkia Governorate. Specimens from joint capsule, tendons, and synovial fluid of leg joints were subjected to bacteriological and direct PCR examinations. Moreover, skin, cartilage of articular surface and epiphysis were undergone pathological examination. Blood samples were collected before scarification for both hematological and biochemical examinations. Results: Forty percent (40%) bacterial incidence rate including Staphylococcus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recorded. Molecular detection of these pathogens revealed rapid and more accurate results of 46%. A high prevalence of multidrug resistance was detected, but all isolates were susceptible to amikacin and florfenicol. Genotyping of isolates revealed the presence of strong virulence markers. Postmortem examinations revealed joints swelling, hyperkeratosis, erosions,and/or ulcerations. Further investigations on positive infected samples revealed a significant decrease in RBCs, Hb, PCV %, lymphocytes, total protein, and albumin (P<0.05). However, there was a significant increase in total leukocytic count and heterophile, CRP, ALT, AST, uric acid, creatinine, and total globulin (P<0.05). Epidermal leukocytic cells infiltrations, tendonitis, synovium fibrosis, erosions, and/or ulcerations of articular cartilage were recorded. Conclusion: Turkey arthritis is a serious problem facing turkey flocks in Egypt. Multiplex real-time PCR assay offered an effective alternative to traditional typing methods for the identification of the etiological agents involved in the infectious arthritis in turkey.