The effect of concurrent infections with Pasteurella multocida and Ascaridia galli on free range chickens

Abstract

Pasteurella multocida and Ascaridia galli are observed with high prevalences in free range chickens in Denmark, but the impact is unknown. A study was carried out to examine the interaction between A. galli and P. multocida in chickens and the impact on production.Five groups, each with 20 18-week-old Lohmann Brown chickens were infected. Group 1 was orally infected with 1000 AE 50 embryonated A. galli eggs. Group 2 received 10 4 cfu P. multocida intratracheally. Group 3 was infected with A. galli and subsequently with P. multocida. Group 4 was infected with P. multocida followed by A. galli. Group 5 was the control. The study ran for 11 weeks where clinical manifestations, weight gain and egg production were recorded. Excretion of P. multocida was determined on individual basis and blood smears were made for differential counts. At the end of the study pathological lesions and the number of adult worms, larvae and eggs in the faeces were recorded.The birds were more severely affected when infected with both pathogens compared to single infections with A. galli or P. multocida, respectively. A lower weight gain and egg production was observed with dual infections. A. galli infection followed by a secondary P. multocida infection resulted in more birds with pathological lesions and continued P. multocida excretion.In conclusion a negative interaction between A. galli and P. multocida was observed and it is postulated that free range chickens are at higher risk of being subjected to outbreaks of fowl cholera when they are infected with A. galli. #

Environmental tolerance of free-living stages of the poultry roundworm Ascaridia galli

“…Following the same theme, the effect of A .galli on subsequent pasteurella multocida infections was shown to be predominantly on weight gain and egg production (Dahl et al 2002). These studies indicate that interactions between parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases exist.…”

Cross sectional epidemiological investigation on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in free range chickens in Narsingdi district, Bangladesh

“…Heavy infection with adult worm can cause obstruction of the small intestine and death (Ackert and Herrick 1928;Ikeme 1971;Tugwell and Ackert 1952). A. galli may also transmits other infection such as Salmonella in chicken (Chadfield et al 2001;Eigaard et al 2006) and concurrent infection of A. galli with other pathogens produce more severe pathological condition than the single infection with this pathogen alone (Dahl et al 2002).…”

Study of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Scavenging Chickens in Fako Division, Southwest Cameroon

“…Research has shown that older fowls can harbour high burdens of parasites without clinical signs, but act as reservoir of these parasites to the young ones as they feed together (Dahl et al, 2002).…”