Identification of Bacterial Agents Implicated in Mortalities in Turkey Focks in Sharkia Governorate during 2021-2024

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Avian and Rabbit Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, Zagazig, Egypt

2 Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.

Abstract

There are several bacterial agents causing mortalities in turkey flocks and have a negative impact on the Egyptian turkey industry. Routine isolation, identification, and surveillance of these pathogens are essential tools for disease monitoring. The research work was conducted for identification of bacterial agents involved in mortalities in turkey flocks in Sharkia governorate during 2021-2024. A total of 126 samples (liver, heart, and lung) were collected from 42 birds (freshly dead or live diseased) representing 10 turkey flocks of various breeds and from different localities, ranging in age from 20 to 100 days and suffering from diarrhea, respiratory distress, arthritis, and a mortality rate ranging from 2-8%. All collected morbid turkeys were subjected to clinical and/ postmortem, and bacteriological examinations. Bacterial isolation on different media and identification by traditional biochemical tests were performed. E. coli was recognized in six flocks (60%), Klebsiella spp. in two flocks (20%), Salmonella spp. in four flocks (40%), Pseudomonas spp. in two flocks (20%), Enterococcus spp. in one flock (10%), Staphylococcus spp. in one flock (10%), and mixed infections in six flocks (60%). An in vitro antibiogram test was performed to select antibiotics of choice. Most of the tested isolates were sensitive to difloxacin, amikacin, and apramycin. All the tested isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR) (100%) due to resistance to 3 or more antimicrobials. It could be concluded that turkey mortality in Sharkia Governorate is primarily caused by E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus. The liver is the most suitable organ for isolation. Difloxacin, amikacin, and apramycin are effective against these bacterial isolates. Monitoring antibiotic use is crucial for control.

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