Arizonosis occurs worldwide in young turkeys. It is caused by Bacterium-Salmonella Arizona. The effects are the same as for other Salmonella infections- Diarrhoea, lameness, somnolence (sleepiness), laboured breathing, blindness and mortality. Mortality up to 100%, peaking at 7-10 days. Tremors, convulsions and twisted necks may also be seen.
- Causes of Arizonosis >
- Effects of Arizonosis >
- Diagnosis of Arizonosis >
- Treatment & Control of Arizonosis >
Causes of Arizonosis
Arizonsis occurs in young turkeys and is caused by the gram negative, flagellate bacterium Salmonella Arizona. The disease is transmitted in the same way as other salmonella species, ie. from bird to bird and between farms. Common vectors include birds, rodents and sometimes reptiles. Spread via the transovarian route can also occur.
Special note
Not as common as paratyphoid.
Not as common as paratyphoid.
Effects of Arizonosis
Signs are the same as for other Salmonella. Opaque eyes (blindness), tremors, convulsions, and twisted necks may be seen.
Postmortem lesions
Lesions are the same as for Salmonella pullorum, which include bacteria septicaemia; peritonitis, and retained yolk sacs.
Congested (filled with blood) duodenum, mottled (white necrotic spots) liver, caseous plugs in caeca, and caseous air sacs can be seen.
Diagnosis of Arizonosis
The organisms must be cultured from post mortem lesions, egg yolk etc. on brilliant green agar for a definitive diagnosis.
Agglutination or ELISA tests using sera from breeders can confirm the presences of S. Arizona.
It simulates pullorum, E. coli and typhoid.
Treatment & Control of Arizonosis
Prevention
Prevention is the same as for salmonella. Biosafety measures are a common requirement in many countries. Bacterin for turkey breeders prevents egg transmission. Egg and hatchery sanitation are important.
Prevention is the same as for salmonella. Biosafety measures are a common requirement in many countries. Bacterin for turkey breeders prevents egg transmission. Egg and hatchery sanitation are important.
Breeders should be tested and those that are serologically positive should be slaughtered.
Vector control helps control spread of the organism.
Treatment
Treatments will reduce clinical problems, but birds will remain carriers. SQ and Ormetoprin in the water and furazolidone in the feed are effective treatments. Gentamicin and spectinomycin can be given to day-old-chicks by SQ injection.
