Effects of exogenous iron on Escherichia coli septicemia of turkeys

The effect of inoculation with Escherichia coli on serum iron concentrations of turkeys and the effect of exogenous iron, as ferric ammonium citrate, on E coli septicemia in turkeys were determined. Inoculation of air sacs with E coli produced hypoferremia in 18-day-old turkeys. Administration of iron with E coli significantly (P less than 0.01) increased mortality, frequency and degree of bacteremia, and severity of lesions in inoculated turkeys, compared with those in turkeys given E coli but not given iron. Similar results were seen whether iron was inoculated at the same location as E coli or at a different location.