Towards the identification of transmission pathways and early detection of Enterococcus cecorum infection in broiler chickens.

ABSTRACT: Enterococcus cecorum (EC) infection is an emerging endemic disease in UK and global broiler poultry with major economic impact and welfare concerns. There are significant research gaps with regards to EC pathogenesis, source of infection, transmission routes and early detection of disease, which this study aimed to address. In this prospective study, 725 environmental samples were collected from 4 broiler farms (A-D) the day before chick placement (d 1) and through the subsequent crop (d 7, 14, and 21). Cecal swabs were collected from birds that died of natural causes during the study period. A sample of birds that had been found dead or were culled for health reasons, were presented for post-mortem and samples were taken from lesions for EC culture. DNA was extracted from all environmenta

SUBMITTER: Watson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11402041 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature