Immunization of broiler chickens with a commercial infectious laryngotracheitis vaccine in the drinking water.

Seventy-five thousand broiler chickens in four flocks were immunized at four weeks of age with a commercial infectious laryngotracheitis vaccine administered in the drinking water. Three of the flocks exhibited a vaccine reaction represented by mild respiratory illness between seven and 14 days after vaccination. Immunity challenge experiments demonstrated 97% protection in one trial and 67% in another trial in which the dose of challenge virus was increased fourfold. In the latter trial a parallel comparative vaccination by eye administration was 87% protective. None of the vaccinated birds died of the challenge exposure whereas all the unvaccinated control chickens became ill, several showed the acute severe form of the disease and 36% died. Similar favourable results were obtained in large-scale water immunization programs involving more than 200,000 birds. Serum antibody levels determined before immunity challenge were, within wide limits, inversely related to the severity of clinical disease which developed from the challenge inoculation.     

Antimicrobial resistance in fecal Escherichia coli isolated from growing chickens on commercial broiler farms

To investigate the effects of rearing practices of commercial broiler chickens on the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli isolates, fecal E. coli isolates obtained in 4 farms were screened for anitimicrobial resistance. Ten E. coli isolates were recovered from each of the fecal samples collected from 10 birds in the farms at the ages of 2 days, 14-17 days, and 47-50 days. In 2 out of the 4 farms, no antimicrobials were used during the rearing period. In the other two farms, following collection of the fecal samples at 14 and 15 days of age, oxytetracycline (OTC), sulfadimethoxine (SDMX), and tylosin were given to birds on one farm and SDMX was used in the other. Isolates resistant to ampicillin and OTC that were obtained from an untreated flock at different sampling times were closely related to each other by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (PFGE) of XbaI-digested chromosomal DNA. PFGE analysis together with in vitro conjugation experiments suggested that diversity of resistance phenotypes within a clone may be resulted from the acquisition and loss of R-plasmids in an untreated and a treated flock. The numbers of resistance phenotypes observed among fecal isolates increased during the growth of the chickens in all the farms. The results in the present study suggest that persistence of commensal E. coli strains resistant to antimicrobials even in the absence of antimicrobial administration. It is also hypothesized that horizontal transmission of resistance determinants resulted in the emergence of different resistance phenotypes in those farms.     

Occurrence of infectious fish diseases in fish farms in northern Finland.

A total of 47 fish located in 10 lake and river systems in northern Finland were examined for furunculosis, enteric redmouth diseases (ERM), viral fish diseases and the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris. Furunculosis was found in 2 fish farms in different watercourses, ERM in 8 fish farms in 3 watercourses and viral diseases were not found at all. G. salaris was looked for only in salmon and rainbow trout and was found in both species in 3 farms belonging to 2 watercourses.     

Characterization of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated in 2007 from Delmarva commercial broiler chickens

A study was performed in 2007 to isolate and characterize infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) in commercial broilers grown in the Delmarva (DMV) Peninsula region of the United States. Bursae of Fabricius were collected weekly from 1 to 4 wk of age from broilers on 10 farms with a history of poor performance. Microscopic pathology was used to determine the infectious bursal disease (IBD) status of the broilers. Bursae from 1- and 2-wk-old broilers did not show IBD microscopic lesions. Moreover, broilers on 1 of the 10 farms were IBD lesion free at 3 and 4 wk of age. However, 3 of 9 and 9 of 9 farms yielded broilers with IBD-affected bursae from 3- and 4-wk-old commercial broilers, respectively. Ten IBDV isolates were recovered from 3 of 3 lesion-positive bursal pools at 3 wk of age and 7 of 9 lesion-positive bursal pools at 4 wk of age. Analysis of the viral protein (VP) 2 genes identified all isolates as serotype 1 Delaware (Del) variant viruses. Five field isolates, each representing different molecular clades of the Delaware variant viruses, were selected for further study. Experimental infection of specific-pathogen-free white leghorn chickens with isolates DMV/4813/07, DMV/4947/07, DMV/4955/07, DMV/5038/07, and DMV/5041/07 produced gross and microscopic pathology of the bursa consistent with Delaware variant infection. Monoclonal antibody testing showed DMV/4813/07, DMV/4947/07, DMV/ 4955/07, and DMV/5041/07 to be similar to previous recognized variant viruses. However, DMV/5038/07 was found to be unreactive with the monoclonal antibodies that typically recognize reference strains STC, Del E, GLS, RS593, and AL2. In a challenge of immunity study, 10-day-old progeny from breeders immunized with a commercially available inactivated IBDV vaccine containing the Del E and classic strains were protected to a lesser degree against isolate DMV/5038/07 compared to Del E challenge based on microscopic lesion scores (P < 0.01) of the bursa. This result suggests the virus is antigenically different from the Del E strain contained in the vaccine. Collectively, the monoclonal antibody and progeny challenge of immunity findings suggest DMV/5038/07 is antigenically different from the Del E strain contained in the vaccine.     

Immunosuppressive potential and pathogenicity of a recent isolate of infectious bursal disease virus in commercial broiler chickens

At 15 days of age and in the presence of measurable levels of maternal antibody against infectious bursal disease virus serotype I (1:170 virus-neutralization geometric mean titer), a recent isolate (U-28) and a prototype virulent isolate (Edgar) of the same virus caused subclinical infections in commercial broiler chickens. Isolate U-28 caused a significant reduction in the size of the bursa of Fabricius, whereas the Edgar isolate produced splenomegaly. Both isolates reduced the serological response to Newcastle disease virus. The experimental immunosuppressive potential and pathogenicity of isolate U-28 in broiler chickens confirms the role of this virus in recent infectious bursal disease outbreaks.     

Variant serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus isolated from commercial layer and broiler chickens.

Twenty infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) field isolates obtained from commercial layer and broiler chickens in 1987 and 1988 were serotyped using the virus-neutralization (VN) test. Six different previously unrecognized variant serotypes were identified from a total of seven isolates from layer chickens. Only two isolates, both from Maine, were the same variant serotype. Variant serotypes also were recovered from layer flocks in Illinois and Washington and the province of Ontario, Canada. Two different variants were isolated from the same multi-age layer complex in Connecticut. Only one of 13 broiler chicken isolates was found to be a new variant serotype, that being from birds reared in Delaware. Cross-protection studies in specific-pathogen-free chickens indicated that vaccines containing the Holland, L-1, or Connaught strains of Massachusetts (Mass) combined with Arkansas produced a broader spectrum of immunity against challenge with the layer variants than Mass (Holland) alone or Mass (L-1) + Connecticut. All vaccines tested produced solid immunity (greater than or equal to 80% protection) against the broiler variant virus.     

Movement of broiler chickens reared in commercial conditions

1. Bird movement was studied at various ages in two flocks of 18,200 broiler chickens. 2. One-d-old chicks placed in corners of a 29 x 14 m brooding area dispersed evenly over the whole area in a period of 48 h. 3. At 15 d of age, when released from the brooding area, birds which were among the first to move to the far end of the house did not necessarily remain in that area of the house. 4. Starting at 4 and 5 weeks of age, birds marked individually were variable in their movement throughout the house during a 16- and 9-d period respectively. Even the least mobile individual covered an area of the house containing several thousand birds. 5. Closer scrutiny of movement by individual birds showed that some moved over areas of 20 m2 in an hour. Birds moved further than was necessary simply to reach food and water. No agonistic interactions were observed and there was no evidence that crowding was a physical restraint on bird movement. 6. Results indicated that birds were not generally attached to a particular site in the shed and that social factors did not restrict movement. Some implications of bird movement are discussed with regard to performance, welfare and leg abnormalities.     

Suitability of poultry litter ash as a feed supplement for broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate poultry litter ash (PLA) at graded levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) as a dietary substitute for dicalcium phosphate (dicalP) for broiler chickens, where PLA was substituted for dicalP on a wt/wt basis. A decreased BW gain was observed at 21 d from PLA at the 100% substitution rate when compared with the 25% substitution rate. No effects on BW gain, feed consumption, or FCR were incurred by study termination at 41 d, and the 100% substitution rate of dicalP did not cause any detrimental effects on the live performance in market age broilers. Although femur ash percentages decreased with increasing levels of PLA, bone integrity was not compromised by the addition of PLA to the diet. Dry matter digestibility of dietary Ca (26.32–58.65%) and P (30.23–42.68%) increased with increasing levels of PLA (0–100%), respectively, inferring that the Ca and P component of the diet was more efficiently used as the level of PLA increased. In conclusion, PLA resulting from the combustion of poultry litter can be used as a P and Ca source for broilers.     

Bilateral effects of vaccination against infectious bursal disease and Newcastle disease in specific-pathogen-free layers and commercial broiler chickens

Different infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) live vaccines (intermediate, intermediate plus) were compared for their immunosuppressive abilities in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) layer-type chickens or commercial broilers. The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination model was applied to determine not only IBDV-induced immunosuppression but also bilateral effects between IBDV and NDV. None of the IBDV vaccines abrogated NDV vaccine-induced protection. All NDV-vaccinated SPF layers and broilers were protected against NDV challenge independent of circulating NDV antibody levels. Sustained suppression of NDV antibody development was observed in SPF layers, which had received the intermediate plus IBDV vaccine. We observed a temporary suppression of NDV antibody development in broilers vaccinated with one of the intermediate, as well as the intermediate plus, IBDV vaccines. Different genetic backgrounds, ages, and residual maternal antibodies might have influenced the pathogenesis of IBDV in the different types of chickens. Temporary suppression of NDV antibody response in broilers was only seen if the NDV vaccine was administered before and not, as it was speculated previously, at the time the peak of IBDV-induced bursa lesions was detected. For the first time, we have demonstrated that the NDV vaccine had an interfering effect with the pathogenesis of the intermediate as well as the intermediate plus IBDV vaccine. NDV vaccination enhanced the incidence of IBDV bursa lesions and IBDV antibody development. This observation indicates that this bilateral effect of an IBDV and NDV vaccination should be considered in the field and could have consequences for the performance of broiler flocks.     

Effect of a variant infectious bursal disease virus (E/Del) on Salmonella typhimurium infection in commercial broiler chickens

The effect of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) on Salmonella typhimurium (ST) infections in broilers was investigated in terms of Salmonella shedding and persistence, pathogenicity, and isotype specific humoral immune responses. Thirty-six, 1-day-old, straight-run commercial broiler chickens that were Salmonella negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture were divided into two groups of 18 chicks each (ST and ST-IBDV). One group (ST-IBDV) of chicks received the E/Del strain of IBDV (10(5.0) median tissue culture infective dose [TCID50]/ml) through the ocular and cloacal routes divided into doses of 50 microl each at 2 days of age. Both groups were then inoculated with 10(8) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml nalidixic acid-resistant ST in the drinking water at 3 days of age. Environmental Salmonella counts were higher in the ST-IBDV group at 2 and 3 wk postinfection (PI) compared to the ST group. ST carriage in the cecal contents between the ST and ST-IBDV groups was not statistically different. The ST-IBDV group had a single mortality at 10 days postinfection compared to none in the ST group. The ST-IBDV group had significantly lower bursa to body weight ratios at 4 and 6 wk, as well as higher bursal lesion scores than the ST group at 2, 4, and 6 wk PI. The ST group had significant increase in serum IgG from 2 to 6 wk PI in comparison to the ST-IBDV group, which had no significant changes over time. Both IgA and IgM were significantly increased at 4 and 6 wk relative to 2-wk levels. There was an IBDV-induced failure of anti-Salmonella IgG seroconversion over time in ST-IBDV. Both groups continued to shed high levels of Salmonella up to the end of the study despite high antibody levels in the ST group and an unimpaired IgM and IgA production in the ST-IBDV group, indicating a limited influence of humoral immunity on Salmonella clearance.     

养禽场预防传染病发生的几项措施

随着集约化养鸡业的迅速发展,特别是规模化养鸡场的大量兴起,近几年来我国各地鸡病的发生和流行,尤其是一些新的鸡病的发生,给养鸡业造成了不同程度的经济损失,其疾病发生的主要原因在于一般的养鸡场管理混乱,饲养人员素质不高、责任心不强,又缺乏技术人员的指导,从而没有严格和认真做好平时的预防工作.     

养禽场传染病的综合性防制

禽场传染病的控制重点在于防，而现在一般所讲的防指的也是综合防制，而不是仅仅的用药、疫苗预防。一旦发生传染病，总会对经营者造成一定的经济损失，更何况如禽流感、新城疫、传支等原则上根本无法治疗。可以说，只要成功地防治好鸡病，养鸡生产就成功了一多半。做好传染病的防治工作，应从以下几方面入手。１隔离、消毒隔离工作在综合防制中占有举足轻重的地位，“隔离”在这里指的是病原微生物与生物机体（易感鸡群）隔离开，使易感鸡群远离病原微生物，使病原微生物失去感染的机会。作为鸡群的隔离工作主要有：鸡舍与鸡舍之间的隔离，…     

Pathogenicity of serotype 1 fowl adenovirus in commercial broiler chickens.

The pathogenicity of a serotype 1 fowl adenovirus (FAV-99ZH), isolated from broiler chickens exhibiting gizzard erosion, was investigated in commercial broiler chickens. Five-, 3-, and 1-wk-old commercial broiler chickens were inoculated with FAV-99ZH by both oral and ocular routes. In the 5-wk-old chickens (trial 1), none of which had the maternal antibody to FAV-99ZH, severe gizzard erosions were observed on days 5, 7, and 10 postinoculation (PI). Among the 3-wk-old chickens (trial 2), which were separated into a control group and three treatment groups according to their maternal antibody titer levels, some chickens showed clinical signs such as depression and anorexia. Compared with the control group, all the treatment groups showed decreased weight gain. One treatment group, moreover, showed significantly decreased (P < 0.05) weight gain on day 10 PI. Severe gizzard lesions, such as erosion or ulcers, were observed from day 4 PI in all treatment groups regardless of their maternal antibody levels. The 1-wk-old chickens (trial 3) were separated into a control group and two treatment groups according to their titer levels of the inoculated virus. In spite of high maternal antibody levels, severe gizzard lesions were observed in both treatment groups, which also showed decreased weight gain. One treatment group, inoculated with the higher dose, showed significantly decreased (P < 0.05) weight gain on days 10 and 14 PI compared with the control group. Fowl adenovirus was recovered mainly from gizzard and rectal (including feces) samples from inoculated chickens but was not recovered from liver samples in any of the trials or in any of the control chickens. Although the reproduced disease was similar to that described in a previous report of experimental infection of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) white leghorn chickens with fowl adenovirus, the pathogenicity of FAV-99ZH in commercial broiler chickens was more severe than that in the SPF white leghorn chickens. The results of the present study indicate that FAV-99ZH isolated from gizzard erosion had pathogenicity and produced severe lesions in the gizzards of broiler chickens and that FAV-99ZH could infect and produce illness in broiler chickens with maternal antibodies against this virus.