Natural Streptobacillus moniliformis Infection of Turkeys, and Attempts to Infect Turkeys, Sheep, and Pigs

Abstract

A natural outbreak of S. moniliformis in mature turkey males was investigated. Joint lesions were detected in 20.6% of the birds, 18.1% had rat-bite wounds, 5.7% died, and 9.2% were not producing semen. S. moniliformis was isolated from the affected joints and sternal bursae, and also isolated from the nasal passages of rats caught in the turkey house. Evidence of the source of infection was rat-bite wounds on turkeys, and isolation of S. moniliformis from the rats. Experimental infection of turkey poults via the intravenous, subcutaneous, and foot-pad routes resulted in a disease similar to that observed in the natural outbreak. The disease was not transmitted by pen contact or oral inoculation. The disease could not be transmitted to lambs and pigs inoculated via different routes with S. moniliformis.