PULLORUM DISEASE (BACILLARY WHITE DIARRHOEA)

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Causative Agent(s)

Salmonella pullorum

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

The disease is characterized by high mortality in young chickens and turkeys, and occasionally in adult chickens. Survivors often become carriers (with localized infection of the ovary).

Transmission is vertical (through the egg), even though direct or indirect contact from wild avian species have been linked to disease in poultry. In vertically infected chicks, death usually results within days of hatching.

The major clinical include huddling near heat source, anorexia, sleepy appearance, and whitish faecal pasting around vent.

Diagnostic Consideration

Isolation of the organism by direct plating on selective bacteriological media and identification using biochemical, serological, or molecular confirmatory methods

Management and Treatment

Various sulphonamides, tetracyclines and aminoglycosides have been found to be effective in reducing mortality. Trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (30mg/kg for 3-5 days PO), Tetracycline (50mg/kg for 3-5days PO), Gentamicin (3.5mg/kg for 3-5days PO), Enrofloxacin (12.5mg/kg for 3-5 days PO). However, no drug or combination of drugs has been found capable of eliminating infection from a treated flock. There is the risk that treated birds could become carriers. Therefore, prevention of the disease is the most preferred approach including use of vaccines, probiotics (including those containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, mannan oligosaccharide) safer management and biosecurity practices. Farmers should avoid sourcing day old chicks from infected hatcheries and ensure intensive rodent control on farms. Control is based on routine serologic testing of breeding stock to assure freedom from infection on breeder farms.