Outbreak of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) infection in chickens in Pakistan.

摘要

A wide-spread respiratory problem was recorded in broiler chickens of different age groups in various poultry raising areas of Pakistan. There was high mortality as well as morbidity and poor response to antimicrobials. It created havoc in the poultry industry and many farms were closed. The present investigations were initiated to ascertain the etiology of the syndrome, its various epidemiological factors and susceptibility to various antimicrobials. Affected flocks revealed chronic whitish diarrhoea. Consistent gross pathological lesions recorded were congestion and consolidation of lungs, haemorrhages in trachea, congestion and haemorrhages in liver, splenomegaly and necrotic foci on the kidneys. Mortality in various flocks ranged from 3.7-50%. Detailed isolation and biochemical studies revealed that Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale was responsible for this widespread respiratory problem. This is the first report of chicken Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in Pakistan. Antibacterial sensitivity revealed that most of the isolates were sensitive to lincospectrin (Lincomycin+Spectinomycin), doxycycline and neomycin. Many of the isolates showed resistance to kanamycin, norfloxacin, enrofloxacin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol.