Turkey coryza: toxin production by Bordetella avium

Twelve strains of Bordetella avium representing isolates from turkeys in the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Republic of South Africa were tested for toxin production. Sterile filtered sonicates from 9 of 12 strains contained a toxin that was lethal for 7-to-10-day-old poults. Mice were also susceptible to the lethal effects of the toxin. No differences in susceptibility to the toxin were found between Beltsville small white and broad-breasted white poults. The toxin was solubilized by sonication and inactivated by heating at 56 C for 30 min. Treatment with formalin or proteolytic enzymes inactivated the toxin, indicating that it is probably a protein. The evidence suggests that the toxin is involved in the pathogenesis of turkey coryza.