Fowl typhoid; cause, symptom, treatment and prevention in poultry

04/02/2023

20/09/2022

Fowl typhoid (FT) and pullorum disease (PD) are septicaemic diseases, primarily of chickens and turkeys, caused by Gram negative bacteria, Salmonella Gallinarum and S. Pullorum, respectively. Clinical signs in chicks and poults include anorexia, diarrhoea, dehydration, weakness and high mortality. In mature fowl, FT and PD are manifested by decreased egg production, fertility, hatchability and anorexia, and increased mortality. Gross and microscopic lesions due to FT and PD in chicks and poults include hepatitis, splenitis, typhlitis, omphalitis, myocarditis, ventriculitis, pneumonia, synovitis, peritonitis and ophthalmitis. In mature fowl, lesions include oophoritis, salpingitis, orchitis, peritonitis and perihepatitis. Transovarian infection resulting in infection of the egg and subsequently the chick or poult is one of the most important modes of transmission of these two diseases. Salmonella Gallinarum and S. Pullorum can be isolated by use of selective and non-selective media. Salmonella Pullorum produces rapid decarboxylation of ornithine whereas S. Gallinarum does not, an important biochemical difference between the two bacteria. Both FT and PD can be detected serologically by use of a macroscopic tube agglutination test, rapid serum test, stained antigen whole blood test or microagglutination test. Both diseases can be controlled and eradicated by use of serological testing and elimination of positive birds. Vaccines may be used to control the disease and antibiotics for the treatment of FT and PD. Although FT and PD are widely distributed throughout the world, the diseases have been eradicated from commercial poultry in developed countries such as the United States of America, Canada and most countries of Western Europe. Both S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum are highly adapted to the host species, and therefore are of little public health significance.

20/09/2022

The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) is a major ectoparasite of poultry. Infestations are found in most laying hen farms in Europe, and breeder flocks have also been reported to be affected. Mite infestation has detrimental effects on animal welfare, it causes significant economic losses, and, additionally, D. gallinae is often considered as a vector for pathogens. Despite suspicion of a close relationship between the poultry red mite and Salmonella enterica enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum (serovar Gallinarum), the causative agent of fowl typhoid disease (FT), there has been no definitive proof of mite-mediated transmission. Therefore, an investigation was conducted to determine if D. gallinae-mediated transmission of serovar Gallinarum could be demonstrated among four different hen groups.

20/09/2022

Fowl typhoid and pullorum disease can be transmitted orally (e.g., in food and water or by cannibalism) and via the respiratory tract. The causative organisms may also enter the body at other sites, such as in wounds.

20/09/2022

Vaccines may be used to control the disease and antibiotics for the treatment of FT and PD. Although FT and PD are widely distributed throughout the world, the diseases have been eradicated from commercial poultry in developed countries such as the United States of America, Canada and most countries of Western Europe.

20/09/2022

FOWL typhoid has been a problem in poultry for many years. The causative agent, Salmonella gallinarum (as defined by Breed et al., 1948) has demonstrated variable response to a variety of therapeutic agents, as shown by the work of Hammond (1945) and Pomeroy et al. (1948) in their studies with sulfonamides.
A study of furazolidone* in the treatment of a small flock of laying hens was undertaken in order to determine the efficacy of the drug under actual field conditions where the disease was already existent. Promising results with this new drug in experimental fowl typhoid have been reported by Smith (1954) and Grumbles et al. (1954).

16/07/2022

The presence of fowl typhoid has been confirmed in a commercial table egg layer flock in San Antonio de Oriente, Honduras.
The case was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on December 12, after being confirmed by veterinary officials in Honduras.