Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the presence of enterobacteria in the eggs of ostriches reared on a farm with a history of reproductive failure. Ninety samples from twenty eggs were submitted to bacteriological tests. The results showed Enterobacteria growth in 100% of the eggs. The microorganisms isolated were Hafnia alvei in 50% (10/20), Serratia spp. in 20% (4/20), Escherichia coli in 15% (3/20), and Citrobacter freundii in 15% (3/20). All eggs presented poor eggshell quality, which favored enterobacteria contamination. Hafnia alvei was present only in the internal egg structures (albumen and yolk sac), suggesting the possibility of vertical infection.
Highlights
Reproductive failure in ostriches often results from poor eggshell quality, allowing egg contamination by bacteria present in the gut flora
This study was conducted to determine the presence of enterobacteria in the eggs of ostriches reared on a farm with a history of reproductive failure
The microorganisms isolated were Hafnia alvei in 50% (10/20), Serratia spp. in 20% (4/20), Escherichia coli in 15% (3/20), and Citrobacter freundii in 15% (3/20)
Summary
Reproductive failure in ostriches often results from poor eggshell quality, allowing egg contamination by bacteria present in the gut flora. Eggshell quality may be affected by several factors, such as nutritional calcium and vitamin imbalances, presence of mycotoxins in feeds, and bacterial and viral infections (Almeida, 2007). Changes in lay and eggshell quality are related to viral infections, mainly by coronavirus (Infectious Bronchitis virus) (Cubillus, 2009). Cadman et al (1994) suggested that ostriches may be infected with the Chicken Infectious Bronchitis virus, but were not able to isolate it. Villareal et al (2007) reported the detection of avian coronavirus by RT-PCR and suggested the virus transmission transmission to ostriches breeders, due to reproductive tract infection
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