Observations on the incidence and aetiology of valvular endocarditis in broiler breeders and detection of a newly described taxon ofPasteurellaceae,Avibacterium endocarditidis

Abstract

A total of 122 dead broiler breeders randomly selected from a flock showing normal production parameters and covering the age from 44 to 61 weeks were subjected to a comprehensive routine post-mortem examination including examination for lesions of endocarditis. Forty-two hens (34%) showed valvular endocarditis caused by Avibacterium endocarditidis (43%), Enterococcus faecalis (31%), Staphylococcus aureus (5%) and Streptococcus pluranimalium (5%), while growth was not obtained from 17% with the methods used for isolation. Gross lesions associated with the different bacterial pathogens did not allow separation according to pathogens involved. Port of entry and pathogenesis associated with the high prevalence of valvular endocarditis remained speculative. The present findings demonstrated the newly described species of Pasteurellaceae, Avibacterium endocarditidis associated with endocarditis in chickens and confirm previous observations on the prevalence of endocarditis in chickens, partly explaining the slightly increased mortality normally observed in broiler breeders during the last weeks of production.

A Review of Current Knowledge on Staphylococcus agnetis in Poultry

“…It occurs when septicemic bacterial infection progresses to a subacute or chronic stage [ 84 ]. Endocarditis caused by S. aureus is well documented in humans [ 85 , 86 ], and has been reported in poultry [ 87 ]. Staphylococcus simulans has also been associated with endocarditis in broilers [ 88 ].…”

“…Staphylococcus simulans has also been associated with endocarditis in broilers [ 88 ]. Bacteria of genera other than Staphylococcus that have been associated with natural or experimental poultry infections resulting in bacterial endocarditis include Avibacterium endocarditidis , Enterococcus faecalis , E. faecium , E. hirae , E. durans , Streptococcus pluranimalium , S. gallolyticus , S. gallinaceus , S. zooepidemicus , Pasteurella multocida , Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae , and Helcococcus ovis [ 87 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ].…”

Multilocus sequence typing ofEnterococcus faecalisisolates demonstrating different lesion types in broiler breeders

“…However, the most serious infections have previously been associated with embryos and very young birds (Wages, 2003). Recent observations on the causes of mortality in broiler parent flocks have demonstrated an increased mortality due to E. faecalis (Chadfield et al, 2004;Bisgaard et al, 2010;Gregersen et al, 2010). Information on the epidemiology and lesion types associated with this organism in broiler parents, however, is almost non-existent.…”

Assessing the microbiomes of scalder and chiller tank waters throughout a typical commercial poultry processing day

“…For Proteobacteria (Figure 2), 6 OTUs that were absent prior to the start of the processing d were found at some point throughout the processing d (Mid and End), although only 3 were present by the end of the processing d (Pasturellaceae, Neisseria, Burkholderia), each of which is potentially related to organisms that are pathogenic to poultry (Bisgaard et al, 2010;Hampton et al, 2011;Hansen et al, 2015). While no "Top-5" Firmicutes OTUs were absent at the start of the processing run, OTUs related to lactic acid bacteria responsible for poultry meat spoilage (Streptococcus and Lactobacillus) increased three-to fivefold by the end of the processing d, replacing the non-lactic acid bacteria genera Staphylococcus, Anaerococcus, and Selenomonas (Figure 3).…”