Fowl Cholera Research Articles

REVENGE OF THE TREES: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS AND POPULATION EFFECTS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS ON A BREEDING COLONY OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS (PHALACROCORAX AURITUS) OVER A PERIOD OF 21 YEARS.

During 16 of 21 consecutive annual breeding seasons, two diseases, Newcastle disease and avian cholera, killed approximately 50% of juvenile Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in a large nesting colony in Canada. From 1994 to 2014, we recorded data annually on disease occurrence, causal pathogens, species and age classes affected, total number of breeding pairs of cormorants on the colony site, and other biological parameters. A mathematical model of pathogen transmission was constructed to assess the potential importance of transmission parameters and to test a hypothesis regarding the potential effect of the observed progressive loss of nest trees and the consequent shift from tree-nesting to ground-nesting behavior. The model indicated that juveniles from ground nests were 14 times more likely to die from epidemic disease (50.14% mortality) than were juveniles from nests in trees (3.57% mortality). Additive disease-related mortality of juvenile cormorants in the observed range of 40-60% would reduce a closed cormorant population over time. There was no directional change in the colony population during the study period, suggesting that immigration had compensated for disease-related mortality. Our results highlight the preeminent influence of environmental factors on pathogen transmission and the value of long-term data sets.

Analysis and Study on the Degradation of Sarfloxacin Hydrochloride by BiVO4 Synthetic Material

Difloxacin hydrochloride is commonly used in livestock and poultry chronic respiratory diseases, tracheitis, enteritis, pneumonia, avian cholera, Streptococcosis, typhoid and other diseases caused by sensitive bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus and Pasteurella multocida, especially for Chicken Colibacillosis, piglet red, yellow and white dysentery. The prepared BiVO4 synthetic material was used for photodegradation of the target degradation product of salfloxacin hydrochloride. The degradation rate of the sample to salfloxacin hydrochloride was 24.1%; The degradation rate of the composite sample (Polypyrrole/graphene oxide/bismuth vanadate) reached 75.57%. The degradation rate was 5 times that of BiVO4.

Virulence attitude estimation of Pasteurella multocida isolates in embryonated chicken eggs.

A total of 220 birds of age ranging from 3 to 14weeks old were collected from several backyards and different farms in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, and surveyed for the presence of fowl cholera. Twenty Pasteurella multocida from chickens (15/145, 10%) and ducks (5/75, 6%) were bacteriologically isolated,and it was shown that the infection was significantly related to age and breed. Capsular typing, using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), demonstrated that all strains were type A (100%). Disk diffusion assay towards ten antimicrobials revealed high susceptibilities to amikacin, doxycycline, chloramphenicol, and neomycin with varying degrees. Doxycycline was effective at the lowest concentration (MIC 0.125-1µg/ml). Multidrug resistance was detected with a percentage of 25%. Multidrug-resistant isolates (five isolates) were subjected to study their pathogenicity in embryonated chicken eggs (ECE). The results showed a variation in indices between different dilutions of the tested strains. The resulting pathogenicity indices showed significant differences (P < 0.05) according to the origin and dilution of the isolate. From the original inoculum to 10-4 dilutions, the mortality of inoculated embryos occurred within 1-2days with pathological findings, including maceration and lesions on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). From dilutions ranging from 10-5 to 10-9, no death occurred until 7days post-inoculation, but a variation in the lesions on CAM was observed. In conclusion, P. multocida serogroup A could be intensely pathogenic for mature chickens thus causing considerable economic losses, and PCR provides a suitable technique for early and rapid diagnosis of fowl cholera.

First report from Bangladesh on genetic diversity of multidrug-resistant Pasteurella multocida type B:2 in fowl cholera.

Background and Aim:Fowl cholera (FC) caused by Pasteurella multocida is a highly contagious bacterial disease of global importance for poultry production. The severity and incidence of FC caused by P. multocida may vary considerably depending on several factors associated with the host (including species and age of infected birds), the environment, and the bacterial strain. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of multidrug-resistant P. multocida strains isolated from FC outbreaks in laying hens from commercial farms of Bangladesh.Materials and Methods:We collected 57 samples of suspected FC, including 36 live and 21 dead laying hens. P. multocida isolates were characterized by biochemical and molecular-biological methods.Results:Twenty-two strains of P. multocida were isolated from these samples through phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The strains were grouped into two distinct random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) biotypes harboring a range of pathogenic genes; exbB, ompH, ptfA, nanB, sodC, and hgbA. In this study, 90.90% and 81.82% P. multocida strains were multidrug-resistant and biofilm formers, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing of the two representative RAPD phylotypes confirmed as P. multocida type B: L2:ST122, harboring a number of virulence factors-associated genes (VFGs), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes (ARGs). In addition, pan-genome analysis revealed 90 unique genes in the genomes of P. multocida predicted to be associated with versatile metabolic functions, pathogenicity, virulence, and AMR.Conclusion:This is first-ever report on the association of P. multocida genotype B: L2:ST122 and related VFGs and ARGs in the pathogenesis of FC in laying hens. This study also provides a genetic context for future researches on the evolutionary diversity of P. multocida strains and their host adaptation.

Prevalence of some common bacterial diseases in commercial poultry farm

Bacterial disease of poultry is one of the major constraints to the expansion of poultry industry. The study was undertaken to investigate some common bacterial diseases in commercial poultry farm. A total of 100 sick and dead chickens (67 broilers, 26 layers and 7 sonali) were collected from different poultry farms which were subjected to postmortem examination for tentative diagnosis. After the post-mortem examination, out of 100 collected dead chickens, bacterial diseases were confirmed 58 %. Among them 52 % of the chickens were diagnosed tentatively to be the case of colibacillosis, 4 % salmonellosis, and 2 % of fowl cholera. In post-mortem examination, some pathological lesions like: omphalitis, fibrinopurulent fluid accumulation in peritoneal cavity, air sacculitis, pericarditis and perihepatitis, extreme congestion and septicemia in intestine for colibacillosis infection; unabsorbed yolk mass, bronze discoloration and friable liver, hemorrhages in spleen, misshaped ova for salmonellosis as well as swollen and hardening of comb, congestion of skin, multiple pin point pale color necrotic lesion on liver, pin point hemorrhage on fat muscle of heart were observed for fowl cholera infection. Hence, this study will definitely help to perceive the prevalence of common bacterial diseases like colibacillosis, salmonellosis and fowl cholera infection in commercial poultry farm.

Pathogenic microorganisms associated with gulls and terns (Laridae)

The monograph reviews viruses, bacteria, microfungi and protozoa pathogenic to homeotherm vertebrates (including humans) associated with birds of the family Laridae (larids, for short). The survey also presents a review of larid microbial diseases worldwide: a total of 569 determined microbial morbidity and mortality events in larids have been reported. The dominating disease is avian botulism (in fact, microbial toxicosis) representing 38% of all recorded microbial disease events. Additional relatively frequent and important diseases in larids are salmonellosis (10% of all recorded microbial events), aspergillosis (9%), avian cholera (9%), Newcastle disease (5%) and ornithosis (5%), while other microbial diseases have occurred in < 5% of the reported events: West Nile virus disease, haemosporidiosis, avian influenza, avian tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, avian pox, tick-borne virus diseases, circovirus infection, avian papilloma, erysipelas, candidosis, staphylococcosis, sarcosporidiosis, cryptosporidiosis, necrotic clostridial enteritis, colibacillosis, babesiosis, calicivirus and avian bornavirus infections. However, many observations indicate that some microbial diseases of larids have remained unidentified and additional investigations about infectious morbidity and mortality in them is warranted.

Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Iron-inactivated Pasteurella multocida A:1 Vaccine against Fowl Cholera in Backyard Chicken

Background: Fowl cholera is a highly fatal, contagious bacterial disease that incurs significant economic loss in commercial as well as back-yard poultry. Vaccination is the most effective way in controlling this disease. In this study, we prepared and evaluated the immunogenicity of iron- inactivated Pasteurella multocida A:1 vaccine and its protective efficacy against fowl cholera experimental infection in backyard chicken.Methods: Scaled up Pasteurella multocida A:1 culture with 5 X 108 CFU/ml equivalent to 2.5 mg of antigen per dose was used for preparation of experimental vaccines. Formalin inactivated and mixed with APS adjuvant (FIA), formalin inactivated-Freund adjuvant (FIF), Iron inactivated and adjuvanted with iron (III), Iron inactivated from iron supplemented media and adjuvanted with iron (ISII) and commercial oil emulsion vaccine (CV) were used in the study. A total of 120 Vanaraja birds (n=20/group) of 2 weeks age were immunized with these vaccine and booster were given at 3rd and 6th week with respective vaccine. Specific antibody titers were assessed by iELISA in the serum at weekly intervals. The birds were challenged (n=6 /group) with 5x104 CFU/ml of virulent isolate by intraperitoneal route and morbidity, mortality percentage were observed.Result: Protective antibody titers were induced by iron inactivated vaccine from 4th week of immunization and upon booster doses it induced significantly higher (P less than 0.05) antibody response. The iron inactivated experimental vaccine gave equivalent protection as that of commercial vaccine upon challenge infection.

Chicken Mite (Other Common Names: Poultry Red Mite, Roost Mite) Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) (Arachnida: Acari: Dermanyssidae)

The chicken mite affects egg-laying hens in many parts of the world, including Europe, Japan, China, and the United States. Although Dermanyssus gallinae affects birds in many regions, it is most prevalent in European countries, where egg industry losses are estimated at $177 million per year. It is a known vector for the St. Louis encephalitis virus, as well as other illnesses, such as fowl pox virus, Newcastle virus, and fowl cholera. In the United States, Dermanyssus gallinae is rarely found in caged-layer operations and is more commonly found in breeder farms. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Ethan Carter and Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2015. (Photo credit: Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida)

Immune Responses Induced in Chickens by Capsular Extract of P. Multocida Isolated From Farm Rat

An experiment was conducted to investigate the immune response induced in chickens by capsular extract of Pasteurella multocida isolated from rats wandering in and around the poultry farms. The rat isolate of P. multocida was isolated and identified by cultural, morphological, and biochemical characteristics, followed by capsular extract preparation and experimental vaccine development. The isolated P. multocida was found Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore forming rod occurring singly or pains and occasionally as chains or filaments in Gram’s-staining method. The isolates consistently produced acid from dextrose, sucrose and mannitol but not fermented maltose or lactose. The Capsular antigen was extracted and confirmed by acriflavine test. Finally, experimental fowl cholera vaccine was prepared. Primary vaccination was performed at the dose rate of 5.6×107 CFU/ml through intramuscular and subcutaneous routes in birds of group A (10 birds) and group B (10 birds) and group C (10 birds) were control birds. Secondary vaccination was similarly performed after 15 days of primary vaccination in groups A and B. The levels of pre-vaccination and post-vaccination sera were determined by passive haemagglutination test. The passive haemagglutination antibody titre was recorded on 15 and 35 days of post vaccination in groups A and B. It was demonstrated that experimental capsular extract fowl cholera vaccine conferred 100% protection (p&lt;0.01) against challenge infection and found to be safe. It could be suggested that after thorough field trial, the experimentally prepared capsular extract FC vaccine using rat isolate of P. multocida may be used side by side with conventional FC vaccine.&#x0D; Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.8(1): 117-124, April 2021

Novel multi-strain probiotics reduces Pasteurella multocida induced fowl cholera mortality in broilers

Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera, a highly contagious poultry disease of global concern, causing significant ecological and economic challenges to the poultry industry each year. This study evaluated the effects of novel multi-strain probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, haemato-biochemical parameters and anti-inflammatory properties on broilers experimentally challenged with P. multocida. A total of 120 birds were fed with a basal diet supplemented with probiotics (108 CFU/kg) and then orally challenged with 108 CFU/mL of P. multocida. Probiotics supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance and feed efficiency as well as reducing (P < 0.05) the population of intestinal P. multocida, enterobacteria, and mortality. Haemato-biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, white blood cells (WBC), proteins, glucose, packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocytes improved (P < 0.05) among probiotic fed birds when compared with the controls. Transcriptional profiles of anti-inflammatory genes including hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF) stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) and prostaglandin E receptor 2 (PTGER2) in the intestinal mucosa were upregulated (P < 0.05) in probiotics fed birds. The dietary inclusion of the novel multi-strain probiotics improves growth performance, feed efficiency and intestinal health while attenuating inflammatory reaction, clinical signs and mortality associated with P. multocida infection in broilers.

Genomic diversity and molecular epidemiology of Pasteurella multocida.

Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen with the ability to infect a multitude of hosts including humans, companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. This study used bioinformatic approaches to explore the genomic diversity of 656 P. multocida isolates and epidemiological associations between host factors and specific genotypes. Isolates included in this study originated from a variety of hosts, including poultry, cattle, swine, rabbits, rodents, and humans, from five different continents. Multi-locus sequence typing identified 69 different sequence types. In-silico methodology for determining capsular serogroup was developed, validated, and applied to all genome sequences, whereby capsular serogroups A, B, D, and F were found. Whole genome phylogeny was constructed from 237,670 core single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and demonstrated an overall lack of host or capsular serogroup specificity, with the exception of isolates from bovine sources. Specific SNVs within the srlB gene were identified in P. multocida subsp. septica genomes, representing specific mutations that may be useful for differentiating one of the three known subspecies. Significant associations were identified between capsular serogroup and virulence factors, including capsular serogroup A and OmpH1, OmpH3, PlpE, and PfhB1; capsular serogroup B and HgbA and PtfA; and capsular serogroup F and PtfA and PlpP. Various mobile genetic elements were identified including those similar to ICEPmu1, ICEhin1056, and IncQ1 plasmids, all of which harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance-encoding genes. Additional analyses were performed on a subset of 99 isolates obtained from turkeys during fowl cholera outbreaks from a single company which revealed that multiple strains of P. multocida were circulating during the outbreak, instead of a single, highly virulent clone. This study further demonstrates the extensive genomic diversity of P. multocida, provides epidemiological context to the various genotyping schemes that have traditionally been used for differentiating isolates, and introduces additional tools for P. multocida molecular typing.

The lipopolysaccharide outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE contribute differently to the virulence of Pasteurella multocida in ducks

Fowl cholera caused by Pasteurella multocida exerts a massive economic burden on the poultry industry. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is essential for the growth of P. multocida genotype L1 strains in chickens and specific truncations to the full length LPS structure can attenuate bacterial virulence. Here we further dissected the roles of the outer core transferase genes pcgD and hptE in bacterial resistance to duck serum, outer membrane permeability and virulence in ducks. Two P. multocida mutants, ΔpcgD and ΔhptE, were constructed, and silver staining confirmed that they all produced truncated LPS profiles. Inactivation of pcgD or hptE did not affect bacterial susceptibility to duck serum and outer membrane permeability but resulted in attenuated virulence in ducks to some extent. After high-dose inoculation, ΔpcgD showed remarkably reduced colonization levels in the blood and spleen but not in the lung and liver and caused decreased injuries in the spleen and liver compared with the wild-type strain. In contrast, the ΔhptE loads declined only in the blood, and ΔhptE infection caused decreased splenic lesions but also induced severe hepatic lesions. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type strain, ΔpcgD was significantly attenuated upon oral or intramuscular challenge, whereas ΔhptE exhibited reduced virulence only upon oral infection. Therefore, the pcgD deletion caused greater virulence attenuation in ducks, indicating the critical role of pcgD in P. multocida infection establishment and survival.

Retrospective study on livestock vaccine coverage and trends in Digelu-tijo district, Arsi zone

Ethiopia has huge numbers of livestock hampered with high prevalence of infectious disease due to poor disease prevention and control. A five-year retrospective study was conducted to collect data on commonly diagnosed bacterial and viral disease and associated vaccine available at district government veterinary clinic in 2019. The commonly encountered bacterial and viral cattle diseases recorded in the case record book were LSD, CBPP Black leg, Anthrax, Bovine pasteurellosis, and Mastitis. Sheep and goat pox disease, Ovine Pasteurellosis, PPR, CCPP, and anthrax were the common diseases of sheep and goat in the study district. Regarding diseases of poultry, New castle, Infectious Bursal Diseases (Gumboro), Infectious coriza, chicken pox, Coccidiosis, Fowl Typhoid, Fowl Cholera, and Marex are the major once. The commonly available vaccines in the study district were LSD, Black leg, Anthrax, Bovine pasteurellosis, Ovine pasteurellosis, Sheep and Goat Pox, PPR, and vaccine for chicken disease like New castle disease vaccine, Gumboro, Fowl Pox, Fowl typhoid and Fowl cholera were used. Vaccination coverage for Lumpy Skin Disease, Sheep and Goat pox and Newcastle viral diseases were good compared with other diseases. The majority 36% of the population of cattle were vaccinated for LSD in 2019 and the lowest 16% in 2015.The lower portion of shoat 8% and half of the population 50% were vaccinated in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Maximum proportion of Newcastle and Gumboro vaccination coverage were 53% and 42%. The vaccination trends for most of the vaccines were fluctuating from year to year whereas the vaccination trend for LSD was increasing from year to year.

Herd immunity drives the epidemic fadeout of avian cholera in Arctic-nesting seabirds

Avian cholera, caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, is a common and important infectious disease of wild birds in North America. Between 2005 and 2012, avian cholera caused annual mortality of widely varying magnitudes in Northern common eiders (Somateria mollissima borealis) breeding at the largest colony in the Canadian Arctic, Mitivik Island, Nunavut. Although herd immunity, in which a large proportion of the population acquires immunity to the disease, has been suggested to play a role in epidemic fadeout, immunological studies exploring this hypothesis have been missing. We investigated the role of three potential drivers of fadeout of avian cholera in eiders, including immunity, prevalence of infection, and colony size. Each potential driver was examined in relation to the annual real-time reproductive number (Rt) of P. multocida, previously calculated for eiders at Mitivik Island. Each year, colony size was estimated and eiders were closely monitored, and evaluated for infection and serological status. We demonstrate that acquired immunity approximated using antibody titers to P. multocida in both sexes was likely a key driver for the epidemic fadeout. This study exemplifies the importance of herd immunity in influencing the dynamics and fadeout of epidemics in a wildlife population.

Molecular characterisation and antibiotic sensitivity profile of Pasteurella multocida isolated from poultry farms in Malaysia

Fowl cholera has caused significant economic losses in many poultry producing countries worldwide. In Malaysia, outbreaks of fowl cholera are frequently reported and encountered in different types of poultry productions. The objective of this study was to characterise 13 avian Pasteurella multocida, isolated from fowl cholera outbreaks in Central Peninsular Malaysia in the period between 2000 and 2018. The isolates were subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for capsular serotyping, disc diffusion method for antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and molecular genotyping using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The capsular serotyping showed all 13 Pasteurella multocida isolates belonging to capsular serotype A. The antimicrobial susceptibility showed several multidrug resistance strains among the P. multocida isolates. All the isolates were resistant to erythromycin (100%), streptomycin (68%), tetracycline (37%), enrofloxacin (37%), florfenicol (23%), penicillin G (14%), gentamicin (14%), and amoxicillin (14%). The PFGE analysis clustered the isolates into three clones. Group A included isolates with a similarity of 87% from the year 2000, 2013, and 2018. Three sequence types were identified using MLST typing namely, ST129, ST231, and ST355. The ST355 was assigned for the first time in the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) database. Besides, ST129 has been reported in India, China, and Sri Lanka, which highlights the possibility of transmission between Asian countries. This study provides an insight into epidemiological information of Pasteurella multocida that causes fowl cholera outbreaks in the central region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Investigation of Genetic Diversity of Pasteurella multocida Isolated from Diseased Poultry in Korea

Pasteurella multocida causes fowl cholera which is an economically important disease in poultry industries around the world. In this study, we analyzed the capsular genotype, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) genotype, virulence-associated genes (VAGs) patterns, antimicrobial resistance and genetic diversity in a total of 9 P. multocida isolates from poultry with fowl cholera between 2014 and 2019 in Korea. When combining the capsular types with the LPS genotypes, two isolates of the 9 isolates were A:L3, and the others were non-typeable (NT): L3. Of the 23 VAGs, all the isolates harbored ptfA, fimA, hsf-1, hsf-2, pfhA, exbB, exbD, tonB, hgbA, hgbB, fur, sodA, sodC, pmHAS, ompA, ompH, oma87, plpB, psl, and nanH, whereas toxA gene was not detected in any of the 9 isolates. In addition, among the 11 antimicrobials, most of the isolates except for one isolate resistant to florfenicol, exhibited susceptibility to all the antimicrobials. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) analysis revealed 5 different sequence types (ST): ST8, ST351, ST352, ST353, and ST368. The ST351, ST352, ST353, and ST368 were identified for the first time in this study, and ST352 and ST353 isolates were largely prevalent nationwide. These STs isolates should be monitored continuously because in some cases, ST352 and ST353 isolates demonstrated high mortality rates. Although only limited numbers of isolates have been analyzed, our findings provide overall characteristics and epidemiological information of the P. multocida strains recently prevalent in Korea.

Characterisation and pathogenicity of Pasteurella multocida capsular serogroup A isolates from Awassi sheep in Syria

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of serogroup A of Pasteurella multocida in Syrian Awassi sheep. Of 1630 samples collected from nasal swabs of healthy and pneumonic sheep (125 herds) and pneumonic sheep lungs, a total of 228 (13.9%) strains were isolated and identified as P. multocida subsp. multocida by phenotypic and biochemical characterisation. However, of them only 117 (51.3%) were identified as serogroup A of P. multocida when PCR assay with specific primers for serogroup A strains was applied. The highest rate of serogroup A isolation was from apparently healthy sheep (49.6%) with consideration that all lung isolates (23 isolates) belonged to serogroup A. Geographical and seasonal distribution showed that about 60% of positively isolated bacteria originated from Syrian desert (29 isolates) and central parts of semi-arid step zone (41 isolates). A significant increase (P≤0.05) in the rate of positive isolates was observed in winter as compared to spring. Pathogenicity tests of 10 isolates with 50 or 10 LD50 values showed that 5 isolates were able to induce symptoms of fowl cholera in challenge-exposed chickens indicating that migratory Awassi sheep might serve as a carrier for serogroup A of P. multocida and that ovine isolates may be virulent for local breed of chickens.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pasteurella multocida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in Village Chickens (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Gallus gallus domesticus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Pasteurella multocida is a highly contagious bacterial pathogen that causes cholera in chickens and water fowls. From September 2019 to February 2021, 600 samples, consisting of tracheal and cloacal swabs (300 samples each), were obtained from 300 seemingly healthy village chickens from households and live bird markets to evaluate the prevalence of P. multocida, test for its antibiotic susceptibility profile and multiple drug resistance patterns. Trachea and cloacal swabs collected were cultured on sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar, isolation and identification was based on morphological characteristics. Prevalence was higher in chickens sampled from live birds’ markets (27.0%) than those from households (16.3%), and higher in hens (13.3%) than in cocks (8.7%). Pure culture colonies were characterized using biochemical test and isolates identified by biochemical characterization were further subjected to Microbact GNB 24E test. Twenty three pure isolates of P. multocida were recovered, eighteen found in the trachea, and five in the cloaca, with an overall prevalence of 21.7%. Disk diffusion approach was used to assess in vitro susceptibility of isolates to 18 different antimicrobial agents. Isolates demonstrated multidrug-resistant to 15 of the antimicrobial compounds used. Antibiogram showed isolates to be extremely susceptible to ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and neomycin, and total resistant to erythromycin, amoxicillin/clavulinate, cefuroxime, ampicillin, enrofloxacin, tylosin, and furasol. Isolation of Pasteurella multocida from healthy village chickens, indicates they are carriers of the pathogen and that the bacterium has multidrug resistance. To control fowl cholera, it is also recommended that field veterinarians conduct sensitivity tests prior to administering antibiotics.

Pathology of Avian Cholera in an African fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer): Case Report

Pathology of Avian Cholera in an African fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer): Case Report

Drug used in controlling chickens diseases, the withdrawal periods, and the threats of drugs residues in food chain. A review

Drugs have been used by many farmers for the treatment of most infectious diseases in chicken regardless of their residue effects to human health if proper management has not adhered. This paper focuses on finding out the common chicken diseases, their prevalence, drugs used for treatment, and their residue implication in the chicken products and by-products. A systematic literature-review was used to synthesis the information from soft and hard copy sources of information. In this paper, it was noted that different infectious diseases were affecting chicken in Tanzania and other countries including Newcastle (Prevalence 7-90 percent percent per flock), Infectious bursal disease (Prevalence 7-100 percent per flock), Fowl Cholera (Prevalence 1-60 percent per flock), and Fowl Typhoid (Prevalence 0-20 percent per flock). As a remedy, drugs such as Amprolium, oxytetracycline, and sulphanilamide were used for treatment which could prompt antibiotic residues in chicken products and by-products. The antibiotic residue was reported in meat, eggs, liver, and kidneys of the chicken which are considered edible to a human thus posing public health challenges. In this regard, there is a need to create awareness to the farmers on the proper use of the drugs. In this case, the understanding of the withdrawal period for the applied drugs can minimize the risk of drug residues in chicken products.