Campylobacteriosis occurs worldwide in chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigeons, game birds, quail, puffins, gulls and geese of all ages. There is also a risk to human health. It is caused by microaerophile bacteria- Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. lardis.
- Causes of Campylobacteriosis >
- Effects of Campylobacteriosis >
- Diagnosis of Campylobacteriosis >
- Treatment & Control of Campylobacteriosis >
Causes of Campylobacteriosis
Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and C. lardis are microaerophile, gram-negative, spiral and uniflagellate bacteria.
Chickens, turkeys, ducks, pigeons, game birds, quail, puffins, gulls and geese can be affected with acute to chronic disease.
Contaminated feed and water, litter, cannibalism, houseflies, cockroaches, wild free-flying birds and mice can spread the organism.
Special note
People are very susceptible to the organism. Food-borne contamination of uncooked poultry is a significant problem. Up to 2 million causes of enteritis a year may be due to this bacteria.
Effects of Campylobacteriosis
Most chickens are carriers of the bacteria without clinical symptoms. The importance is just for human health.
There is a 24-72 hour incubation period. Depression, soiled vent, and diarrhoea can be seen.
Postmortem lesions
Distension (enlargement) of the intestinal tract, accumulation of mucus, watery fluid and haemorrhages in intestines can be seen.
Focal hepatic necrosis may also be present.
Diagnosis of Campylobacteriosis
Isolation of organism from faeces, intestinal tract, bile, blood or liver is needed. Incubate cultures for 48-72 hours at 43º in a microaerobic atmosphere. Colonies are flat, translucent and grey with a tendency to clump together or be raised, opaque and brown grey with antibiotics including Bacitracin, novobiocin and colistin.
It simulates coccidiosis.
Treatment & Control of Campylobacteriosis
Prevention
Biosecurity measures should be put in place, restrict wild birds and vermin to prevent the disease.
Treatment
Kanamycin*, gentamicin, furazolidone* and doxycyline* are effective.
*Not approved for use in the US
