Abstract
Bacterial diseases of poultry tend to cause significant losses to the poultry industry worldwide annually. This chapter focuses on some of the sporadic bacterial diseases. The less common pathogens included in this chapter are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Erysipelas, spirochetes, and tuberculosis. The section on enterococci and its association with disease is included with the streptococci. These organisms have an increased influence in poultry production due to their ability to cause local and systemic disease and in light of the limited use of growth promoters. The chapter also includes a section devoted to miscellaneous organisms that have caused disease in poultry or are a public health concern. Bacterial culture is required for diagnosis, as clinical signs and gross lesions of acute enterococcal infections overlap with other bacterial diseases of chickens. Prevention and control require reducing stress and preventing immunosuppressive diseases and conditions. Proper cleaning and disinfection can reduce environmental enterococcal resident flora to minimize external exposure.