Erysipelas - Turkey

Introduction

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is the only agent thought to cause Erysipelas in avian species. It is a non-spore forming, non-motile, gram-postive rod, which does not stain acid-fast.

It is a common disease in Turkeys but is rare in the fowl.

Erysipelas is of economic importance in turkey farming as it not only causes death in the flock, but causes infertility in the male.

In humans that work with poultry, the disease is of public health significance due to its zoonotic affect. A predisposing cut can cause infection by the organism, resulting in localised infeciton or septicamia and death in people.

The organism is thought to be transmitted by contaminted material, as the source of the infection, entering the bird via breaks in the mucous membrane or skin. Fish or fishmeal has been cited as the most likely causes of infection for turkeys. The bacteria can also be transmitted in the semen of the male turkey (tom). Research into vectors of the disease has shown that the poulty red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) can act as a resrvoir for the bacteria.

Clinical Signs

• Sudden outbreak
• Affects birds of all ages
• Predominant losses in males
• Sudden loss in hens that have history of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) 4- 5 days previously
• Sudden death without clinical signs in many birds
• Prior to death some birds may have an unsteady gait and appear weak

• Dark, purplish, swollen snoods are seen on affected males

Pathology

Gross

• Enlarged friable liver, spleen and kidney 
• Lesions concurrent with septicaemia and congestion
• Petechial haemorrhage in abdominal fat
• Haemorrhage in heart muscle
• Arthritis and vegetative endocarditis and emaciation with chronic infections

Microscopic

• Sinusoidal channels and blood vessel engorgement in most organs
• Aggregations of fibrin and bacteria in capillaries and venules
• Oedma and haemorrhage in lung and heart
• Necrosis of parenchymal cells in the liver, spleen and kidney

Diagnosis

• Presumptive diagnosis based on history, clinical signs and post mortem
• Rapid presumptive diagnosis by gram-stained smears of liver, spleen and kidney and bone marrow will enable immediate treatment
• Culture of the organism from dead birds is effective, but will not produce quick enough results for treatment of the flock

Prevention/ Management

• Rotate turkeys from contaminated areas
• Disinfect equipment with 1-2% Sodium hydroxide (this has been proven to be effective against E.rhusiopathiae)
• Ensure prompt removal of dead birds
• Decrease stress in the flock by ensuring good husbandry at all times
• Vaccination
  - inactivated E. rhusiopathiae bacterin
  - breeding turkeys- 2 doses, one at 16-20 weeks and the second just prior to laying
  - meat turkeys- single dose SC

Treatment

Prevention is better than treatment but in the case of an outbreak one should do the following:

• Administration of a rapidly-acting form of penicillin is thought to be most effeciant, either a one-off I.M. injection or in drinking water for 4-5 days
• Erysipelas bacterin  (vaccine)

Prognosis

Poor in unvaccinated stock

Good- guarded in immunised stock with mortality ranging from 1% to 50% 

References

Quinn, P.J., Markey, B.K., Carter, M.E., Donnelly, W.J., Leonard, F.C. (2007) Veterinary Microbiology and Microbial Disease Blackwell Publishing 

Randall, C.J, (1985) Disease of the Domestic Fowl and Turkey, Wolfe Medical Publications
Saif, Y.M, (2008) Diseases of Poultry, Blackwell Publishing