Causes: Gram positive facultatively anaerobic bacteria- Streptococcus. Species include S. zooepidemicus, S. gallinarum, S. avian, S. faecalis and S. durans.

Effects: Depression, lethargy, lassitude, pale wattles and combs, tremors, decreased egg production, lameness and reduced body weight. In young chickens encephalitis causing torticollis.

All species of bird of all ages are susceptible to this acute to chronic disease. The agent involved in the aetiology of this disease is Strephococcosis sp, which includes S. zooepidemicus, S. gallinarum, S. avian, S. faecalis and S. durans. It is a gram-positive, spherical, non-motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobe which occurs in short chains.

The organism can be spread by oral and aerosol transmission and with soiled eggs. Secondary infections through wounds, contaminated hatchery and wet litter are also important.

Signs include depression, lethargy, lassitude, pale combs and wattles, tremors, drop in egg production, lameness and reduced body weight. Also in young chickens nervous signs, torticollis.

Lesion include spleenomegaly, hepatomegaly (swollen liver), enlarged kidneys, peritonitis, omphalitis (swollen navel), tenosynovitis, arthritis, salpingitis and myocarditis.

In young chickens encephalomyelitis.

Laboratory isolation of the organism from yolk, blood and lesions on blood agar. Colonies are small and usually greyish in 24 hours. They may be mucoid to rough.

It simulates Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma synoviae, Salmonella and E. coli. No diagnostic signs or lesions exists.

Prevention methods include egg and hatchery sanitation, remove sharp objects from the house and use clean, dry litter.

Penicillin, erythromycin, novobiocin, nitrofurans and tetracyclines.

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