Acute fibrinopurulent blepharitis and conjunctivitis associated with Staphylococcus hyicus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus sp. in chickens and turkeys

Multiple outbreaks of acute severe fibrinopurulent lesions of the eyelids occurred in chickens and turkeys. Lesions began as tiny foci of epidermal necrosis and ulceration and spread to involve the entire eyelid. Scabs overlying the epidermis contained large gram-positive cocci; lesser numbers of small cocci and gram-negative bacilli were in more superficial areas. Staphylococcus hyicus was isolated from birds in all stages of the disease. Escherichia coli and Streptococcus sp. were isolated only during severe stages; no anaerobic bacterial pathogens were isolated. Vasculitis and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates in deep layers of the dermis suggested that a staphylococcal toxin may have been involved. The disease was not reproduced by scarifying S. hyicus onto the eyelids or by intravenous inoculation of retrovirus-infected chickens.