Introduction

Respiratory infections in chicken and turkeys are seen worldwide but especially in temperate poultry-producing areas in winter months. A number of respiratory viruses (Infectious Bronchitis, Avian pneumovirus, Lentogenic Newcastle disease virus, vaccinal and field strains) and bacteria (Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, E. coli) may be involved. Dust, ammonia and other gases, and other factors associated with poor ventilation, may act as predisposing factors. Morbidity is typically 10-20%, mortality 5- 10%. If condemned birds are included mortality may be more than 10%.

Signs

• Snick.
• Sneezing.
• Head swelling.
• Conjunctivitis.
• Nasal exudate.
• Rattling noises.

Post-mortem lesions

• Severe tracheitis with variable exudate - catarrhal to purulent.
• Airsacculitis.
• Pericarditis.

Diagnosis

Lesions, serology, response to environmental changes. Differentiate from Chronic Respiratory Disease (Mycoplasmosis). Given that many flocks are vaccinated it is necessary to establish normal serological response in vaccinated flocks in the absence of disease (some of which may, of course, be challenged by some of these pathogens).

Treatment

Antimicrobial treatment of specific bacterial infections.

Prevention

Effective ventilation, sanitation of drinking water, carefully applied appropriate viral vaccines.

Figure 29. Severe airsacculitis of thoracic air sacs in a broiler close to slaughter. The air sacs are thickened and congested, and have been cut into to reveal a cheesy (caseous) mass of pus. There is also percarditis evident (at top right).

Figure 30. Severe tracheitis is broilers with respiratory disease complex. Both tracheas were congested and the upper sample had mucopurulent material in the lumen.