RIMERELIOSIS OF BIRDS: EPISOTHOLOGICAL DATA, ILLUSTRATION OF FIELD ISOLATES PATHOGEN ON THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE AND STUDY OF THEIR BIOLOGICAL

Abstract

According to the literature, in countries with developed duck breeding and goose breeding Riemerella anatipestifer – a pathogen that can cause the death of 60-75% of young waterfowl 1-8 weeks of age – creates considerable problems in recent years. This infection is not controlled in Ukraine. The extent of the pathogen in Ukraine needs to be studied, as well as the study of its biological features. The aim of our work is to highlight field isolates of the pathogen riemerellosis and to study their biological properties. Epizootological examination was conducted in three farms among goslings and ducklings 2-6 weeks of age. There were clinical signs characterized by nervous disorders, ataxia, edema of subcutaneous tissue around the mold joints, the presence of plaque around the anus. Among goslings, the death rate was 15%, ducklings – up to 30%. It was found that the disease was observed mainly in the breeding period (from February – till April). Most sick young animals aged 14 days to 2 months. In sick individuals, the development of caseous or fibrinous salpingitis, erosion of articular cartilage was noted. We have identified two isolates of bacteria of the genus Riemerella. Riemerel isolates had typical biochemical properties. According to the results, it was found that the most effective antibacterial agents against riemerel were: rifampicin, amoxiclav, amoxicillin, doxycycline, lincomycin, cefuroxime, chloramphenicol. A method for diagnosing riemerelosis of waterfowl with the use of clinical, pathological, bacteriological studies has been developed. Prospects for further research consist in using the developed method for diagnosing riemerelosis of waterfowl based on clinical, pathological, bacteriological studies to monitor this infection of birds in poultry farms in Ukraine and determine the epizootic situation of this disease.