Ornithobacterium Rhinotracheale Infection Research Articles

Unraveling frontiers in poultry health (part 1) – Mitigating economically important viral and bacterial diseases in commercial Chicken and Turkey production

This symposium offered up-to-date perspectives on field experiences and the latest research on significant viral and bacterial diseases affecting poultry. A highlight was the discussion on the use of enteroids as advanced in vitro models for exploring disease pathogenesis. Outcomes of this symposium included identifying the urgent need to improve the prevention and control of avian influenza by focusing research on vaccine effectiveness. In this regard, efforts should focus on enhancing the relatedness of vaccine antigen to the field (challenge) virus strain and improving immunogenicity. It was also revealed that gangrenous dermatitis could be controlled through withholding or restricting the administration of ionophores during broiler life cycle, and that administration of microscopic polymer beads (gel) based-live coccidia vaccines to chicks could be used to reduce necrotic enteritis-induced mortality. It was emphasized that effective diagnosis of re-emerging Turkey diseases (such as blackhead, fowl cholera, and coccidiosis) and emerging Turkey diseases such as reoviral hepatitis, reoviral arthritis, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection, and strepticemia require complementarity between investigative research approaches and production Veterinarian field approaches. Lastly, it was determined that the development of a variety of functionally-specific enteroids would expedite the delineation of enteric pathogen mechanisms and the identification of novel vaccine adjuvants.

Therapeutic potentials of aivlosin and/or zinc oxide nanoparticles against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and/or Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale with a special reference to the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on aivlosin tissue residues: an in vivo approach

Respiratory diseases inflicted by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) cause severe economic losses and great burden to the poultry industry worldwide. Therefore, the current study was planned to assess the efficacy of aivlosin alone or in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) in the treatment of experimental MG and/or ORT infections in broilers. Moreover, we also aimed to evaluate the role of ZnO-NPs on aivlosin residues in broiler tissues. A total of 1,440 Cobb chicks were allocated into 6 groups. At 14 d of age, chickens of groups 1 and 3 were experimentally infected with MG intratracheally and 6 d later, chickens of groups 2 and 3 were infected occulonasaly with ORT. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were divided into 4 subgroups; birds in subgroups 1, 2, and 3 were treated with aivlosin (A), ZnO-NPs (Z), and A/Z, respectively, while those in subgroups 4 was left without treatments. Moreover, groups 4 and 5 were kept noninfected and treated with aivlosin alone or in combination with ZnO-NPs, respectively. Finally, group 6 was kept as a negative control. The current results showed that the recovery from respiratory diseases caused by MG and/or ORT infections was most successful after treatment with A/Z in combination. Consequently, clinical signs, mortality rates, postmortem lesions of the respiratory organs, histopathological lesions of liver, trachea and lung and tracheal MG and ORT counts were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced following A/Z treatment. Taken together, high performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that ZnO-NPs decreased the aivlosin residues in liver, muscle and skin of healthy and infected chickens. Based on these results, it could be concluded that aivlosin/ZnO-NPs therapy is a valuable approach for controlling MG and/or ORT infections in boilers.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection (ornithobacteriosis)

This datasheet on Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection covers Identity, Overview, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Pathology, Epidemiology, Impacts, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ORNITHOBACTERIOSIS FROM BROILER CHICKENS IN NEW VALLEY AND ASSIUT GOVERNORATES

ABSTRACT Respiratory infections are the most dangerous diseases facing poultry industry. Ornithobacteriosis is a respiratory disease in chicken broiler farms, it causes severe economic losses (high condemnation rate at slaughter, high treatment costs). Scientific research papers should be focused on the causative agent in order to make a plan for the ideal steps for its isolation and identification, in addition to prevention and control of this infection. The present work was conducted to isolate and identify Ornithobacteriumrhinotracheale (ORT) in chicken broilers.A total of 195 samples (trachea, lungs and air sacs) were collected from dead and sacrificed broiler chickens aged (20 - 42 days old) from different broiler chickens farms in Assiut and New Valley Governorates for possible recovery of ORT. Samples were cultured on blood agar plates under 7.5 – 10 % CO2 tension at 37oC for 48 hours. Bacteriological examination used for isolation and identification of the ORT bacteria (cellular and colonial morphology, biochemical reactions, API 20 NE and growth on MacConkey's agar) showed 32 suspected isolates at percentage of 16.4%. Results of isolation by conventional method were confirmed by molecular identification using Polymerase Chain reaction technique (PCR); which revealed the positive detection of only 5 strains of ORT and produced the predicated 625 bp amplification product. Serotyping of the isolates by using agar gel precipitation test proved that all isolates belonged to serotype A. Challenge of broilers aged 14 days old with ORT strain alone or combined with live ND vaccine by spraying method caused mild respiratory manifestations with tracheitis, pneumonia and mild airsaculitis. While Infection of chicks with ORT via spray combined with prior administration of ND vaccine (stress factor) caused a moderate respiratory signs and more severe lesions. From the results obtained in this work, we can conclude that: The prevalence of ORT infection in broiler chickens in Assiut and New Valley governorates was 2.56% from living and scarified birds. The current investigation revealed that the isolates of ORT bacteria belonged to serotype A. Post mortem lesions especially yogurt like exudate in the abdominal air sac considered very pathognomonic in the tentative diagnosis of ORT infection. While PCR technique was proved to be more sensitive and specific for detection of ORT pathogen.

Microscopic changes in the organs of broiler chickens with Ornithobacterium rhinotra-cheale infection

Nowadays ornithobacteriosis is widespread among industrial poultry in Ukraine and the world. The disease leads to significant economic losses. The large variation in the serotypes of the bacteria complicates the treatment of the disease. The study of microscopic changes that occur in organs during ornithobacteriosis will help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease development. Ornithobacteriosis was diagnosed in clinically sick broiler chickens by bacteriological studies using Maldi Tof mass-spectrometry. As a result of the antibiotic sensitivity test, the pathogen was found to be sensitive to doxycycline, tilmicosin, rifampicin, cefazolin, amoxiclav and benzylpenicillin. Histological studies of internal organs – trachea, lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and spleen – were carried out. It was found that with spontaneous ornithobacteriosis of broiler chickens, the most expressive microscopic changes occur in the respiratory organs – the lungs and trachea and are characterized by a decrease in the lumen of the parabronchials due to edema of their walls and infiltration with lymphocytes, the absence of epithelium on the surface of the parabronchials, narrowing of the air capillaries of the parabronchial complexes, hemorrhages in the parenchyma of the parabronchial complexes, vasodilatation of the lung vessels and overflow of their blood vessels with blood cells, edema around the epithelium trachea, destruction of part of the tracheal mucosa epithelial cells, edema of its submucosa, expansion and overflow of blood vessels of the mucous membrane with blood cells. In the spleen there was a uniform diffuse edema of the parenchyma and a decrease in the number of lymphocytes in the lymphoid follicles; in the kidneys – expansion and overflow of the stroma blood vessels, uneven edema of the glomeruli of one part of the renal corpuscles and destruction of the glomeruli of another, granular degeneration of the convoluted and straight tubules of the kidneys; in the liver – edema, hemorrhage, violation of the hepatic lobules’ structure, expansion of the hepatic veins, granular degeneration of hepatocytes or their destruction; in the heart – edema of the myocardial interstitium, muscle fibers’ granular dystrophy, fragmentation of muscle fibers as a result of their rupture. Histological research of ORT infected chickens will lead to a better understanding the mechanism of pathological changes at the microscopic level, which will facilitate the development of more effective methods of treatment and prevention of the disease.

Research Note: Serological investigation of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in China

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) has been associated with avian respiratory disease. On coinfection with other pathogens, ORT can cause serious health problems in avian species, leading to financial losses. To monitor the serologic prevalence of ORT in chicken flocks in China, 1,280 sera were collected to determine ORT antibodies among 64 flocks from 15 provinces of China using a commercial ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence of ORT among the birds tested was 44.06%. In younger chickens, the serum positive rate was lower than that in older chickens, and with increased age, the serum positive rates increased. Older chickens had not only higher positive rates but also higher antibody levels. These data indicated that ORT infections were common in China. Because an ORT vaccine is currently not available, good disease management and biosecurity measures are required for effective disease control.

Comparison of the first Iranian native Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale vaccine with conventional vaccine: A challenge study.

Background and Aim:The best strategy to prevent or control an Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) infection is vaccination. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of the first Iranian inactivated ORT vaccine (Razi, Iran), which had been prepared from a native strain, with the Nobilis ORT Inac (Intervet, The Netherlands) through a challenge trial.Materials and Methods:Seventy-two 1-day-old specific pathogen-free White Leghorn chickens were used in this study. The birds were divided randomly into four groups. Following the vaccination and challenge of the birds, the efficacy of the Razi and the Intervet ORT vaccines was evaluated by serological, bacteriological, and molecular methods.Results:The antibody titer in vaccinated groups was determined to be significantly higher than unvaccinated birds. In addition, the difference in postmortem lesion scores between the vaccinated and unvaccinated birds was significant. The differences in the means of the antibody titers and postmortem lesion scores in birds that were vaccinated by the Razi and Intervet ORT vaccines were not significant.Conclusion:Considering the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Iranian native ORT vaccine was comparable to the Intervet vaccine. The Razi ORT vaccine has effectively decreased the duration of the ORT infection and can effectively protect the chickens against an ORT infection.

Field experiences with the use of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale inactivated autogenous vaccination in prebreeding and breeding turkey flocks in France

A French turkey multiplication company experienced a significant rise in Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infections. Two clinical forms were observed: predominantly respiratory signs in the breeding farms (supplying the hatcheries) and joint/locomotor...

A combined retrospective, prospective and experimental study of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in chickens

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes caused by natural and experimentally-induced Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in the respiratory system of chickens. To this end, three different studies were carried out. The first was a retrospective study of 82 field cases with respiratory disorders compatible with O. rhinotracheale infection. The bacterium was immunohistochemically detected in the lungs in 48 of 82 field cases, and 50 β-haemolytic (BH) and non-haemolytic (NH) strains were isolated. In the second study, an experimental model of the disease was created using 3-week-old broiler chickens, to identify possible differences of pathogenicity between the BH and NH isolates by the intravenous (IV) and intratracheal (IT) inoculation routes (IR). The group challenged with the NH isolate showed more severe lung lesions than the group challenged with the BH isolate at 7-days postinoculation (p.i.). The 14-day p.i. groups challenged with either the BH or NH isolates by the IT or IV IR had a higher histologic grade of pulmonary and hepatic lesions and a higher total histologic grade of lesions suggesting more severe pathology with longer time of exposure. A direct association between the inoculation routes and the organs affected was shown. Finally, a slaughterhouse study was carried out from October 2014 to May 2015, in which the histologic grade of lesions was significantly higher in immunohistochemically positive for O. rhinotracheale lungs of dead-on-arrival chickens.

Effect of experimental Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection along with live infectious bronchitis vaccination in broiler chickens

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), a bacterium causing respiratory tract infection, has led to a significant problem in the intensive poultry production in Egypt. Polymerase chain reaction-amplified 784-bp specific ORT DNA fragments were found in 7 ORT isolates from lungs, air sacs, and tracheas of commercial broilers or layers in Egypt in 2015. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the live variant IBV 4/91 with ORT infection. A total of 120 14-d-old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were equally divided into 4 groups for experimental infection in a complete randomized design. Group 1 was infected with ORT strain and live infectious bronchitis vaccine (IBV 4/91) simultaneously; group 2 was infected with the bacterial strain alone; group 3 was vaccinated only with IBV 4/91, and group 4 was the non-vaccinated and non-infected control group. The respiratory signs, post-mortem lesions (tracheitis and pneumonia) and histopathological findings of lungs, trachea, and air sacs in the experimentally infected broiler chickens appeared to be more prominent in the chickens of group 1 than group 2. With respect to body weight, weight gain, feed conversion rate, and Ornithobacterium re-isolation, there was a difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the chickens of group 1 and the other groups. This reveals that the use of live infectious bronchitic vaccines, which is a common practice in the local Egyptian field of production, may concomitantly increase the pathogenicity of ORT in broiler chickens.

Seroprevalence of major avian respiratory diseases in broiler and sonali chicken in selected areas of Bangladesh.

Objective:This study was conducted to investigate different respiratory diseases in broiler and sonali birds in some selected districts of Bangladesh.Materials and Methods:We were collected a total of 460 blood samples from 46 farms with 36 broiler farms and 10 sonali farms (cross-breed) from 2015 to 2017. All the collected serum samples were tested for determining specific antibodies of avian rhinotracheitis (ART) virus, infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus, infectious bronchitis (IBV) virus, and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) infection using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.Results:The overall seropositivity was highest in ORT (45.9%), followed by IBV (37.6%), ART (2.6%), and ILT (0.4%). Out of 360 broiler samples, highest seropositivity was recorded in ORT (43.3%) and lowest in IBV (31.4%). Surprisingly, no broiler samples were found positive for ART and ILT. In case of sonali, the seropositivity was highest in IBV (60%) and lowest in ILT (2%). With respect to types of birds and age groups, the seropositive percentage of all four pathogens was found higher in sonali than broiler. Between two age groups of sonali, the seropositive percentage of ART (12%), ORT (55%), ILT (2%), and IBV (60%) was highest at 21–60 weeks of age compared to 5–20 weeks of age. However, based on location, the seropositive of ORT and IBV was highest in Jamalpur (63.3%) and Fulbariya and Trishal (50%) and lowest in Sreepur (16.7%) and Jamalpur (3.3%).Conclusion:The four pathogens are ubiquitous in nature for the sonali chickens, and the prevalence of ORT and IBV was the most prevalent viruses in the study areas. This study indicates a need for improved surveillance and characterization of ORT and ART circulating in all types of poultry in Bangladesh.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in red wattled lapwings (Vanellus indicus) in Pakistan - a case report

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in red wattled lapwings (Vanellus indicus) in Pakistan - a case report

Serologic prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in commercial layers

Serologic prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in commercial layers

Ameliorative Effect of Coconut Oil on Hematological, Immunological and Serum Biochemical Parameters in Experimentally infected Rabbits

In this study, two experiments were performed to clarify the effect of dietary supplementation of coconut oil (CO) on the growth, immune response, hematological ,biochemical parameters and mortality of uninfected and experimentally infected rabbits with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) and /or mixed infection of ORT + Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida). To achieve this goal, seventy-two New Zealand White male rabbits were used in this study and divided into 3 groups of 24 rabbits each. The first experiment was represented by the first group, which explored the impact of different dietary levels of CO on normal rabbits and subdivided into four subgroups. The first subgroup fed basal diet (Control) and the second, third and fourth subgroups fed a basal diet supplemented with 1 %, 1.5%, and 2% coconut oil, respectively for 4 weeks. The second group represented the second experiment. The second group was subdivided into four subgroups and subjected to a single infection with ORT infection. The first one was kept as infected control subgroup; the second, 3rd, and 4th infected subgroups were treated with 2% coconut oil, Sulpha-trimethoprim and 2% coconut oil plus sulpha-trimethoprim respectively. The third group was similar to the second group but subjected to mixed infection with ORT+ P. multocida infection for 4 weeks. The results revealed that, the 1st experiment represented by the result of the 1st group which revealed a significant increase (P

An Experimental Co-Infection of Broilers with Local Isolates of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Escherichia coli

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a Gram-negative bacterium associated with respiratory diseases in many avian species and it causes variable economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, single aerosol infection of broiler chickens with three PCR confirmed local isolates of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) from Sharkia Governorate was found to cause growth retardation together with mild respiratory manifestations and 5-10% mortalities. Mild tracheitis, airsacculitis and pneumonia were observed post aerosol administration. Co-infection with E. coli was found to have triggered effect on ORT infection in broiler and cause a higher degree of pathogenicity, higher mortalities and severe growth retardation than the single infection. The three different isolates were found to cause nearly the same degree of inflammatory response. ORT infection alone resulted in minimal microscopic lesions in the trachea and air sacs. Mixed infection (ORT with E. coli ) resulted in more severe lesions than those by ORT alone as well as dense lymphocytic infiltrations in tracheas, lungs, air sacs and hearts were shown. Amoxicillin was successfully improving the clinical signs and body weight gain of ORT infected birds.

Synergistic pathological effect of Mycoplasma gallisepticum with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infection in layer chicken

Synergistic pathological effect of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) infection in layer chicken was evaluated in 70 commercial layer chicken farms. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale organism was confirmed by its growth characteristics on agar media and typical morphology on Gram's staining. Polymerase chain reaction technique was used for the confirmation of Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Other concurrent respiratory viral infections like Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis were ruled out by hemaggutination andinhibition tests and bacterial diseases like colibacillosis, pasteurellosis and infectious coryza were ruled out by culture and staining techniques. The severity of clinical signs, gross pathology and histopathology increased in combined cases of MG and ORT than individual occurrence of these diseases. Zero and 7.8% mean mortality rate were observed in ORT and MG infections respectively, whereas 15% mean mortality rate was recorded in the combined cases. The synergistic increase in mortality rate of MG with ORT was clearly supported by the gross and histopathological alterations.

Vaccines against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale: A Review

Vaccines against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale: A Review Ornithobacterium rhinotrachealeis a Gram-negative, non-motile, highly pleomorphic, rod-shaped, non-sporulating bacterium of the rRNA superfamily V within the phylum Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides, which has become an emerging pathogen that causes high economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Ornithobacterium rhinotrachealeinfection, which is reported mostly in broiler chickens and turkeys, causes respiratory distress, decreased growth, and mortality. The best strategy for their control or prevention is probably vaccination, because most worldwide O. rhinotrachealeisolates have acquired resistance against the antibiotics regularly used in the poultry industry. The purpose of this work is to review the current status of bacterins, live vaccines and subunit recombinant vaccines reported and used for the control of O.rhinotrachealeinfection in commercial poultry under experimental and field conditions.

Co-infection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale with Streptococcus zooepidemicus in Chickens

An outbreak of bronchial embolization with 50%-70% morbidity and 30% mortality occurred in broilers in northeast China. This highly contagious disease is characterized by the sudden onset of clinical symptoms, including dyspnea, hemorrhagic tracheal discharge, and bronchial obstruction. Subsequently, six strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) and three strains of Streptococcus zooepidemicus were isolated from the various organs and identified using biochemical tests and PCR methods. The pathogenesis of embolization in chickens is poorly understood. The current experimental study confirmed that ORT infection alone could induce a significantly fatal hemorrhagic pneumonia and high mortality in comparison with S. zooepidemicus infection. Moreover, co-infection of ORT with S. zooepidemicus could induce even higher mortality, with severe bronchial obstruction, than that observed in chickens infected with S. zooepidemicus or ORT alone. Therefore, the combination of ORT and S. zooepidemicus may be associated with the outbreak of chicken bronchial embolization. Further investigation of the pathogenesis of ORT and Streptococcus is urgently needed.

Serologic prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infections in broilers and broiler breeder chickens in Kermanshah Province, west of Iran

The presence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) in poultry farms in several parts of Iran has been confirmed over the last few years. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of ORT antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in broiler and broiler breeder chickens in western parts of Iran. In a one-year period, from April 2009 to February 2010, a total of 435 blood samples were collected from 30 commercial chicken flocks (24 broiler flocks and six broiler breeder flocks) located in Kermanshah Province, west of Iran. None of the broilers and broiler breeders have been vaccinated against ORT prior to sampling. The province was divided into four geographical areas: southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast. Flocks in each area, specifically the birds in each flock, were randomly sampled. The presence of antibodies against ORT in each serum sample was tested twice by ELISA using a commercial kit. The results revealed that 50.1 % broiler and 70.5 % broiler breeder chickens were serologically positive for ORT. Out of 347 serum samples obtained from broiler chickens, 174 (50.1 %) were positive for ORT antibodies, which represented 18 (75.0 %) of 24 examined broiler flocks. A higher rate of seropositivity (71.4 % of samples and 83.3 % of broiler flocks) was observed in the northwest. Out of 88 samples obtained from broiler breeder chickens, 62 (70.5 %) were positive for ORT antibodies, which belonged to six (100 %) of the examined broiler breeder flocks. Detection of anti-ORT antibodies among broiler breeders was significantly higher than that of broilers.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Mycoplasma synoviae in broiler chickens in Jordan

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2008 to July 2010 in commercial broiler flocks in southern (n = 50) and northern (n = 50) areas of Jordan, to determine the flock-level prevalence of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) infections. Tracheal swabs were collected from commercial broilers with respiratory disease and tested by polymerase chain reaction. In total, 21% (95% CI: 18-45%) and 25% (95% CI: 20-51%) of commercial broiler flocks were positive for ORT and MS, respectively. In the southern areas the prevalence of flocks with positive tracheal swabs for ORT and MS was 16% and 10%; in the northern areas the prevalence was 26% and 40%, respectively. Of the flocks tested, 7% were infected with ORT and MS simultaneously. Further epidemiological studies are recommended to determine risk factors and evaluate the economic consequences of ORT and MS infections in the region. Furthermore, studies are required to isolate ORT and MS and develop vaccines against the local field isolates.