Fowl cholera

Presented by: Dr. Bikash Puri

INTRODUCTION
 Fowl cholera is a highly contagious disease of

domestic and wild birds.

 It usually occurs as a septicemia of sudden onset

with high morbidity and mortality, but chronic and

asymptomatic infections also occur.

 Sudden death because of diarrhea →just like man

cholera.
 Etiology

Pasteurella multocida type A

(Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod shaped bi polar
Bacteria)
 Host Range
 Turkeys and waterfowl are more susceptible

than chickens.

 Older Chickens are more susceptible than

young ones. Older than 16 w in layer and 4-5 w in

broiler

 Season: Autumn and winter

Transmission:

 Through oral, nasal and conjuctival route

1. Indirect contact: through food/drink, tools,

material which were contaminated.

2. Direct Contact: Though discharges and feces.
 Pathogenesis
1. Start of acute septicemia with coagulopaties

2. Production of endotoxin →Endothelial damage

-------oedema , hemorrhage, shock, sudden

deaths

3. Bacteraemia→spreading to lung
Clinical signs
Acute course – sudden death, mortality to 50 % →12-24h
Sub acute course →24-48h

 high morbidity and mortality, depression, fever

 discharge from beak and nostrils

 anorexia, diarrhoea(yellow→green),accelerated breathing

 dyspnea, cyanosis of comb and wattles

Clinical signs cont

Chronic course
 Failure of growth and developement of body

 Drop in egg production

 Swelling of wattles, sinuses

 Swelling of joints, foot pad, sternal bursa

 Torticolis

 Dermal necrosis in turkey

 Granulomatous dermatitis in pigeons and birds of prey

In the chronic form of fowl cholera, suppurative lesions may be found in
a variety of locations. In this broiler breeder, severe swelling of the
. infraorbital sinuses is found on external examination
 Post mortem findings
In per acute and acute forms;

1. The disease shows primarily vascular disturbances.

a. General passive hyperemia and congestion throughout the carcass.

b. Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages are common, particularly in
subepicardial and subserosal locations.

2. Enlargement of the liver and spleen. Pinpoint necrotic foci on

liver.

3. Increased amounts of peritoneal and pericardial fluids are

frequently seen.
Pin point Necrotic foci on liver (corn meal liver)
hyperemic follicles
Petechial hemorrhage in Serosa of Heart
Petechial hemorrhage on epicardial fat
 Post mortem findings chronic form

1. Affected wattles, combs or joints show

yellowish, thick pus or cheesy exudate.

2. Artritis, osteomyelitis
3. Exudative serositis
4. Sinusitis
Purulent exudate may be found within the facial swellings
yellowish, thick pus in joint cavity
. The foot has been incised to show a caseous exudate
 Diagnosis

1. History, Clinical Signs and Lesions

2. Bacteriology

3. Indentification by using biochemical test

4. PCR test

5. Bipolar microorganism staining organism

6. Serology: AGID or ELISA, better for evaluation of vaccine

response
 Bacteriology
Bluedomethylene,lichman,gimsa staining→bipolar bacteria
Heart and livers blood
Culture in : dextrose starch agar +5%serum
Morphology on D.S.A:
1- Fluorescent→high virolent
2-sectored colony→mild
3-blue or slightly fluorescent→low
4-non fluorescent→non pathogene
MUSSY ODOR
 Diferential diagnosis

1.Infectious coryza
2.Fowl typhoid
3.Fowl plague(avian flu)
4.Duck plaque(duck herpes virus 1)
5.Otherpaseurellas (p.haemolitica,p.gallinarm )
Thanks