A Case of Newcastle disease from an outbreak in a commercial broiler farm in Mymensingh city, Bangladesh

Background Newcastle disease (ND) is a contagious and often deadly viral disease caused by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV), affecting a wide variety of domestic and wild birds. The outbreak of this fatal disease is one of the greatest constraints to the expansion of poultry farms, resulting in significant financial losses. Here we report the clinical and pathological features of a ND case from an outbreak in a commercial broiler farm. Materials and Methods A broiler farm with a population of 850 birds aged 27 days reported the death of 100 chickens within 4 days of the onset of the disease in 2019. For investigation, one dead chicken was brought to the department of pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The case history was recorded, and an autopsy was performed. Portion of the samples were kept in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histopathological study. Results The morbidity and mortality rates were reported to be 17.65% and 11.47%, respectively. Recorded clinical history were depression, off-feed, huddling, gasping, ruffled feathers, greenish diarrhea, soiled vent and the birds were unvaccinated. On external examination, the birds appeared dehydrated, dyspneic and had nasal exudates, ruffled feathers, and soiled vents. Autopsy exhibited prominent gross lesions in the trachea, lungs, proventriculus, gizzard, intestine, cecal tonsil, liver, spleen and cloacal bursa. Grossly, tracheal hemorrhage, severe congestion in the lungs, pin point hemorrhages on the tip of the proventriculur glands, hemorrhage in the cecal tonsil, button-like ulceration in the intestine and mottled spleen were suggestive of ND. Histopathologically, severe enteritis, necrotic mass in the cecal tonsil and proventriculus, lymphoid depletion in the spleen supported the infection of NDV. The clinicopathological findings of the ND outbreak in broiler farm confirmed that it was velogenic viscerotropic in nature. Conclusion ND in commercial flocks remains a threat to the poultry industry in Bangladesh. Implementation of strict biosecurity, husbandry practice and effective vaccination are required to prevent diseases and improve economic stability.

The Role of Biosecurity in the Control of Campylobacter: A Qualitative Study of the Attitudes and Perceptions of UK Broiler Farm Workers

Campylobacter is the leading cause of human bacterial diarrhoeal disease worldwide, with poultry meat products contributing to a large proportion of cases. Due to the ubiquitous presence of Campylobacter in the poultry farm environment, biosecurity is the main area for intervention to prevent colonisation of commercial broiler chicken flocks. However, research has repeatedly demonstrated that farmers' uptake of biosecurity recommendations is often poor. This study explored farmers' attitudes towards biosecurity and identified barriers to effective implementation of biosecurity protocols. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 1–3 members of staff on each of 16 broiler farms; 6 owned by, and 10 contracted to, 3 different UK poultry integrators. In total, 28 interviewees participated, including farm owners, managers, and workers, with a range of industry experience. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed high levels of recognition amongst broiler farmers of the importance of Campylobacter and the responsibility of the whole farm-to-fork chain within the poultry industry to reduce Campylobacter contamination of chicken meat for the benefit of public health. Participants' self-reported awareness and implementation of biosecurity has improved significantly following the industry-wide focus on Campylobacter control. However, there are frustrations with the industry's approach to tackling Campylobacter and the heavy burden of responsibility that has been put on interventions at the farm-level. There was also scepticism amongst participants as to the effectiveness of current biosecurity measures in the reduction of Campylobacter. Nevertheless, the interviewees' recognition of the benefit of improved biosecurity on broiler health and welfare and other important targets, such as reducing antimicrobial usage, leaves a legacy of which the UK broiler industry can be proud. There is scope for further farmer education about the evidence supporting biosecurity interventions, particularly in the control of Campylobacter, and a need to establish more effective channels of communication. Furthermore, to give all players within the industry agency and investment in industry targets, contributions from all levels should be permitted in the design of future biosecurity interventions. Biosecurity compliance may be improved through collaborative efforts, such as participatory and co-design practises, to facilitate knowledge co-creation and exchange.

Comparison of Chicken Cecal Microbiota after Metaphylactic Treatment or Following Administration of Feed Additives in a Broiler Farm with Enterococcal Spondylitis History

Minimizing the clinical signs of Enterococcus cecorum infections causing enterococcal spondylitis in broiler herds is successful when initiated as metaphylaxis in the first week of life. Mechanistically, either the Enterococcus species present at that time are reduced by antibiotic treatment or antibiotic treatment might induce changes in intestinal microbiota composition with an indirect and subsequent influence. The aim of the present study was to examine the cecal microbiota of chickens after administering lincospectin or different additives to evaluate whether these additives have lincospectin-like effects on microbiota. Therefore, 157,400 broiler chickens were reared in four chicken houses (~40,000 birds each) on a broiler farm with history of enterococcal spondylitis. Each flock was treated either with lincospectin or water soluble esterified butyrins, Bacillus (B.) licheniformis or palm oil was added via drinking water during the first days of life. Ten birds per house were dissected at days 11, 20 and 33 of life and cecal microbiota were analyzed (16S rRNA gene sequencing). Lincospectin treatment elicited significant changes in the cecal microbiota composition until slaughter age. Among the tested additives, effects of B. licheniformis on cecal microbiota composition were most similar to those seen after the treatment with lincospectin at day 11.

Asymptomatic Carriage of C. botulinum Type D/C in Broiler Flocks as the Source of Contamination of a Massive Botulism Outbreak on a Dairy Cattle Farm

In winter 2018, a massive type D/C cattle botulism outbreak occurred on a mixed dairy and broiler farm in France. An investigation was conducted based on the hypothesis of asymptomatic carriage in poultry. We set out to identify the source of contamination of the dairy cattle and to monitor the contamination of broilers over time, including the hatchery delivering chicks to the farm. Environmental samples were collected on the farm during the cattle outbreak (n = 40), after the outbreak for three successive broiler flocks (n = 128), and once in the hatchery delivering the chicks (n = 58). These samples were analyzed using real-time PCR after an enrichment step to detect Clostridium botulinum type D/C. The results showed contamination in the manure from the broilers raised just before the onset of the cattle outbreak (5 + /5), as well as in some of the components of the cattle ration (3 + /17). This latter contamination is likely due to the use of the same tractor bucket to remove litter from the poultry house and to prepare the cattle ration on the same day. Contamination monitoring over several months revealed continuous asymptomatic carriage in the broilers (4 + /20 and 17 + /20 cloacal swabs in 2 successive flocks), a persistence of C. botulinum type D/C in the ventilation system of the poultry house (8 + /14), and contamination of the equipment coming from the hatchery used for delivering the chicks (3 + /18). Further investigations conducted in the hatchery demonstrated contamination in the hatchery by C. botulinum type D/C (6 + /58). Comparison of samples using a multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis showed the same profile for samples collected on broilers, cattle and in the hatchery. This study highlighted the crucial role of the implementation of biosecurity measures in mixed farms to avoid cross-contamination between production units given the potential asymptomatic carriage of poultry. This study also revealed the contamination of the poultry hatchery. Further investigations are required to better understand the role of hatcheries in the epidemiology of animal botulism.

Airborne Dissemination of Bacteria (Enterococci, Staphylococci and Enterobacteriaceae) in a Modern Broiler Farm and Its Environment

The role of the air as a vehicle of bacteria dissemination in the farming environment has been previously reported, but still scarcely studied. This study investigated the bacteria density/diversity of the inside and outside air and of litter samples at a broiler farm. Samples were collected considering two seasons, three outside air distances (50/100/150 m) and the four cardinal directions. Selective media was used for staphylococci, enterococci, and Enterobacteriaceae recovery. A high number of bacteria was detected in the litter (2.9 × 105–5.8 × 107 cfu/g) and in the inside air (>105 cfu/m3), but a low emission of bacteria was evidenced in the outside air (<6 cfu/m3). Moreover, the bacteria detected in the farm’s outside air decreased the further from the farm the sample was taken. A total of 544 isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF (146 from the litter, 142 from inside air and 256 from outside air). From these, 162 staphylococci (14 species; S. saprophyticus 40.7%), 176 Enterobacteriaceae (4 species; E. coli 66%) and 190 enterococci (4 species; E. hirae 83%) were detected. E. hirae was the predominant species, and identical PFGE clones were detected in inside and outside samples. The detection of identical DNA profiles in E. hirae isolates from inside and outside samples suggests the role of the air in bacterial dissemination from the inside of the broiler farm to the immediate environment.

Efisiensi Usaha Peternakan Ayam Broiler dengan Sistem Manajemen Closed House dan Open House

This study aims to identify the ratio of broiler farm business income with closed house and open house management systems. The research method used was a survey method using purposive sampling. As treatment there are two cage management systems, namely closed house and open house. The research method uses profit analysis and R / C ratio. The results showed that 1) the profit obtained by the broiler breeder business with the open house cage system was greater than that of the closed house. 2) the broiler chicken coop business that uses the open house and closed house systems is classified as efficient. This finding implies that chicken farmers can choose an open house cage system because it is more profitable.

The production risk of broiler farm management at plasma breeders: Evidence from Indonesia

The broiler chicken business is essential to providing national meat consumption in Indonesia. However, the business also faces a very significant management risk. The purpose of this research is to study broiler farm management and the effect of its business management on the production and production risk. This research was conducted in Lamongan regency of East Java by interviewing broiler chicken farmers and using descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the research show that the implementation of broiler farm management reached 73.48% of ideal situation, with planning reaching 67.64% ideal situation, 65.58% for ideal organizing, 84.18% for optimal direction, 74.43% for ideal coordination, and 77.58% for ideal control. Also, the management had a positive influence on the production of the broiler livestock business, with an elasticity of 0.700. The management had a negative effect on the risk of production of broiler livestock business with the elasticity of 0.237. Production risk was negatively affected by the number of chicks and the amount of feed. To provide support for breeders in their business, it is necessary to have a policy of low cost of broiler cultivation, especially the cost of chicks and feed, by setting DOC prices and cheap or cheaper feed. Besides, it is required to develop cooperation with companies using broiler primary products, as well as certain policies so that there will be businesses that use broiler primary products as their main ingredient.JEL Classification D13; Q02; Q12