Abstract
Respiratory diseases in birds generate sanitary and economic impacts and may be related to the environment and climate. Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), Pasteurella multocida, Avibacterium paragallinarum, Escherichia coli, Riemerella anatipestifer, and Bordetella avium are among the most important avian respiratory pathogens. ORT is responsible for causing ornitobacteriosis, a disease characterized by clinical signs ranging from mild to severe respiratory conditions, with high mortality rates, mainly affecting turkeys and chickens. The first report of ornitobacteriosis was in 1981 in Germany. Despite its importance, few studies on ORT have been published. In addition, the presence of this pathogen has been neglected in poultry farms, mainly due to the lack of appropriate diagnostic protocols. The lack of correct isolation and diagnostic protocols along with inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents have been contributing to treatment failure. Due to its economic importance to the poultry industry, ornitobacteriosis should be monitored and included in national programs for the prevention and control of avian respiratory diseases. This review aimed to update and discuss important issues related to ORT since this pathogen has great economic and sanitary implications for the chicken production chain.
Highlights
Respiratory diseases in poultry are mostly accompanied by heavy economic losses and increased mortality rates, medication costs, and condemnation rates due to aerosacculitis and decreases in egg production
We addressed the importance of the host in the pathogenesis of infection, as well as poultry as a dispersion factor and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance
Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) H06-030791 was isolated from turkey lungs in 2006 and demonstrated strong β-hemolytic activity and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), but had no iron dependence as it is not affected by the presence of chelated iron [3,68]
Summary
Respiratory diseases in poultry are mostly accompanied by heavy economic losses and increased mortality rates, medication costs, and condemnation rates due to aerosacculitis and decreases in egg production. These infections have been recognized in many countries worldwide [1,2,3,4] and are associated with several microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, and influenced by climate changes [5]. Charlton et al [17] did the preliminary characterization of a pleomorphic gram-negative rod associated with avian respiratory disease, followed by a genotypic classification by Vandamme et al [20] as a new genus and species. Described as a non-motile, non-hemolytic bacterium with inconsistent biochemical properties, ORT strains presenting a β-hemolytic phenotype were isolated from the lungs and tracheas of chickens with pneumonia in Argentina [22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
