Identification of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and other pathogenic Brachyspira species in chickens from laying flocks with diarrhea or reduced production or both

A. Feberwee; D.J. Hampson; N.D. Phillips; T. La; H.M.J.F. van der Heijden; G.J. Wellenberg; R.M. Dwars; W.J.M. Landman

doi:10.1128/jcm.01829-07

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Identification of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and other pathogenic Brachyspira species in chickens from laying flocks with diarrhea or reduced production or both

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Identification of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and other pathogenic Brachyspira species in chickens from laying flocks with diarrhea or reduced production or both

A. Feberwee, D.J. Hampson, N.D. Phillips, T. La, H.M.J.F. van der Heijden, G.J. Wellenberg, R.M. Dwars and W.J.M. Landman

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Vol.46(2), pp.593-600

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.01829-07

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Abstract

Cecal samples from laying chickens from 25 farms with a history of decreased egg production, diarrhea, and/or increased feed conversion ratios were examined for anaerobic intestinal spirochetes of the genus Brachyspira. Seventy-three samples positive in an immunofluorescence assay for Brachyspira species were further examined using selective anaerobic culture, followed by phenotypic analysis, species-specific PCRs (for Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, B. intermedia, and B. pilosicoli), and a Brachyspira genus-specific PCR with sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene products. Brachyspira cultures were obtained from all samples. Less than half of the isolates could be identified to the species level on the basis of their biochemical phenotypes, while all but four isolates (5.2%) were speciated by using PCR and sequencing of DNA extracted from the bacteria. Different Brachyspira spp. were found within a single flock and also in cultures from single chickens, emphasizing the need to obtain multiple samples when investigating outbreaks of avian intestinal spirochetosis. The most commonly detected spirochetes were the pathogenic species B. intermedia and B. pilosicoli. The presumed nonpathogenic species B. innocens, B. murdochii, and the proposed “B. pulli” also were identified. Pathogenic B. alvinipulli was present in two flocks, and this is the first confirmed report of B. alvinipulli in chickens outside the United States. Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the agent of swine dysentery, also was identified in samples from three flocks. This is the first confirmed report of natural infection of chickens with B. hyodysenteriae. Experimental infection studies are required to assess the pathogenic potential of these B. hyodysenteriae isolates.

Details

Title: Identification of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and other pathogenic Brachyspira species in chickens from laying flocks with diarrhea or reduced production or both
Authors/Creators: A. Feberwee (Author/Creator) - De Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren
D.J. Hampson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
N.D. Phillips (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
T. La (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
H.M.J.F. van der Heijden (Author/Creator) - De Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren
G.J. Wellenberg (Author/Creator) - De Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren
R.M. Dwars (Author/Creator) - Utrecht University
W.J.M. Landman (Author/Creator) - De Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren
Publication Details: Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Vol.46(2), pp.593-600
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Identifiers: 991005542726907891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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