Abstract
BackgroundEnterococcus cecorum is considered as an emerging pathogen in poultry and can cause substantial losses in broiler flocks. Femoral head necrosis and spondylitis were described as the main pathological changes in infected chickens. Nevertheless, little is known about the pathogenesis of Enterococcus cecorum infection in broilers. This report shows for the first time the whole course of disease over an entire growing period including repeated necropsies and subsequent microbiological investigations.Case presentationIn a flock of 18200 broilers, a decrease in flock uniformity was detected from 14 days post hatch onwards with affected chickens showing lameness and an increase in flock mortality up to 7.22% at day 33 post hatch. In the first 3 weeks post hatch, pericarditis and hepatitis were found as the main pathological changes in 27.6% and 9.8% of the examined broilers respectively. Femoral head necrosis and vertebral osteomyelitis were detected in the last week of the growing period with 10.3% and 2.3% respectively. Heart, liver, spleen, yolk sac and vertebral column of 59 broilers with pathological changes were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Enterococcus cecorum was isolated from 23 birds (39%), the first broiler was already positive at day 3 post hatch in the yolk sac. Additionally, 9.75% of the broilers were rejected at the slaughterhouse primarily because of pathological changes. The investigated broiler cycle had by far the best footpad score compared to 7 cycles before and 4 cycles after the Enterococcus cecorum infection at the same farm.ConclusionsBacteraemia and generalized infection appear to be important steps in the pathogenesis of Enterococcus cecorum infection in broilers. Furthermore, this disease causes economic losses for the farmer not only due to an increase in flock mortality, but probably also through substantially higher condemnation rates at the slaughterhouse. It was speculated that the broilers were infected via the respiratory tract as this flock had lower footpad scores likely the result of drier litter. The latter may have led to higher dust concentrations and thus airborne Enterococcus cecorum.
Highlights
Enterococcus cecorum is considered as an emerging pathogen in poultry and can cause substantial losses in broiler flocks
It was speculated that the broilers were infected via the respiratory tract as this flock had lower footpad scores likely the result of drier litter
The latter may have led to higher dust concentrations and airborne Enterococcus cecorum
Summary
This report describes for the first time the whole course of disease of an Enterococcus cecorum infected broiler flock over the entire growing cycle. Bacteraemia and generalization seem to be important steps in the pathogenesis of Enterococcus cecorum infection in broilers, preceding frequently reported femoral head necrosis and vertebral osteomyelitis. Enterococcus cecorum associated disease in broilers impacts the farmers economically, as a result of elevated flock mortality and because of higher condemnation rates at the slaughterhouse. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Authors’ contributions AJ performed sampling, pathological, bacteriological, PCR-based methods, reviewed the literature and prepared the manuscript. SR performed histological examinations and prepared the photos. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript
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