Also known as Turkey rhinotracheitis
Turkey coryza occurs worldwide in turkeys older than 3 weeks. It can also occur in broilers but it is rare. Turkey coryza is caused by a gram negative strictly aerobic bacterium- Bordatella avium. Highly contagious and spread by aerosol.
- Causes of Turkey coryza >
- Effects of Turkey coryza >
- Diagnosis of Turkey coryza >
- Treatment & Control of Turkey coryza >
Causes of Turkey coryza
Turkeys of more than 3 weeks old are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. Although broilers can also be affected, it is rarely seen. The agent involved in the aetiology of this disease is Bordetella avium which is a gram-negative, nonfermentative, motile and strictly aerobic bacillus.
Mode of transmission
It is highly contagious and is spread by aerosol. The incubation period is 7-10 days. The organism can contaminate faeces or water for up to 6 months.
Special note
It causes Immunosuppression, which may lead to an outbreak of cholera in turkeys or poor vaccination response to NDV, E. coli or Pasteurella multocida. Coryza means head cold. In Europe, turkey rhinotracheitis is caused by a pneumovirus.
Effects of Turkey coryza
Swollen sinuses and tracheal inflammation are characteristic of this disease. Stunting, huddling, decreased consumption of food and water, respiratory distress, sneezing, dry cough and nasal discharge (tenacious brown) can occur.
Loss of voice and submaxillary oedema may be seen. Turkeys may have almond-shaped eyes and mortality to 50%. Mortality is low in broilers.
Postmortem lesions
Mucous in trachea and trubinates, and the trachea is softened and distorted. Pneumonia, edema of the interstitial tissues of head and neck, air sacculitis, pericarditis and bursal atrophy may be evident.
Diagnosis of Turkey coryza
Bacteria from the trachea can be cultured on MacConkey’s agar. Colonies are clear and pinpoint and may develop a brownish raised centre.
Microagglutination or ELISA testing will determine antibodies in unvaccinated flocks. It simulates mycoplasmosis, avian influenza (AI), ornithosis, Newcastle disease (ND) and swollen head syndrome. Rhinotracheitis in turkeys is characteristic for this disease.
Treatment & Control of Turkey coryza
Prevention
Sanitation and biosecurity reduces the problem. Bacterin prepared from whole bacterial cells can be given to turkey-breeders at 6 weeks. Live vaccine is a temperature (cold) sensitive mutant (replicates only in upper respiratory tract) given by spray at 1-day and drinking water at 14 days.
Treatment
Aerosol spray of oxytetracycline HCI (10 mm sized particles).
