Molecular characterization of Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates from turkeys.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum was isolated from several turkey flocks at different locations in the United States that were clinically affected with respiratory disease. Five of these isolates from four series of outbreaks had patterns similar to the 6/85 vaccine strain of M. gallisepticum by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis using three different primer sets, whereas with a fourth primer set (OPA13 and OPA14), only two of the isolates were similar to 6/85. Results obtained by sequencing portions of the pvpA, gapA, and mgc2 genes and an uncharacterized surface lipoprotein gene indicated that the field isolates had DNA sequences that ranged from 97.6% to 100%, similar to the 6/85 results. In some of the outbreaks there was an indirect association with the presence of commercial layers in the area that had been vaccinated with this vaccine strain, but there was no known close association with vaccinated birds in any of the outbreaks. Turkeys were challenged with two of the field isolates and with 6/85 vaccine strain. Turkeys challenged with the field isolates developed respiratory disease with airsacculitis and a typical M. gallisepticum antibody response, whereas birds challenged with 6/85 developed no respiratory signs or lesions and developed only a weak antibody response. Although these isolates were very similar to the 6/85 vaccine strain, it was not possible to prove that they originated from the vaccine strain-it is possible that they could be naturally occurring field isolates.

Summary of the 2001-02 Pennsylvania H7N2 low pathogenicity avian influenza outbreak in meat type chickens.

H7N2 low-pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza (AI) virus was isolated from chickens submitted to the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System on December 4 and 5, 2001. The cases were from two broiler breeder flocks in central Pennsylvania that had clinical signs of an acute, rapidly spreading respiratory disease. Seroconversion to AI virus was detected on follow-up sampling. Subsequently, H7N2 LPAI virus was isolated in five different broiler flock cases submitted between December 14, 2001, and January 3, 2002. Clinical signs and lesions in broilers, when present, were compatible with multicausal respiratory disease. With the exception of one broiler flock that was processed, birds from all of the virus positive flocks were euthanatized in-house within 11 days of the original case submission date. Increased surveillance of poultry flocks within 10-mile radius zones centered at the foci of the positive farms continued until March 1, 2002. No additional cases were detected.

Inhibition of Salmonella typhimurium on agar medium and poultry skin by ultraviolet energy.

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) was effective in destroying Salmonella typhimurium on agar plates and poultry skin. Agar plates inoculated with varying numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) of S. typhimurium (1.2 x 10(2) to 1.7 x 10(9) were subjected to different doses of UV light to determine optimal killing. Poultry skin was also inoculated with varying CFU of S. typhimurium per 2 cm2 of skin and subjected to UV light. UV light treatment of inoculated agar plates revealed almost complete elimination (99.9%) of S. typhimurium at 2,000 microW x s x cm(-2). Bacterial reduction was less effective on the surface of poultry skin when a 80.5% reduction in S. typhimurium was obtained at 2,000 microW x s x cm(-2).

The use of ultraviolet radiation to reduce Salmonella and psychrotrophic bacterial contamination on poultry carcasses.

Broiler carcasses were subjected to ultraviolet (UV) energy (doses range from 82,560 to 86,400 muWs/cm2) at wavelength of 253.7 nm to evaluate the potential of this treatment for improving the microbiological quality of broiler carcasses. Broiler chicken halves were inoculated with a marker strain of Salmonella typhimurium 5 min prior to treatment. A 61% reduction in viable S. typhimurium was observed in UV-treated chicken halves as compared with untreated halves. The UV energy treatment had no deleterious effects on color (Hunter L, aL, or bL) or 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. After 10 d of storage at 7 C, TBA values of thigh meat were 1.3 mg malonaldehyde/kg meat compared with 1.7 for controls. Psychrotrophic bacteria populations were not appreciably altered by UV treatment when their numbers were compared with bacterial counts obtained from untreated chicken halves held for 10 d at 7 C. This study suggests that UV radiation can reduce Salmonella surface contamination without negatively affecting carcass color or increasing rancidity of the meat.

Diabetes mellitus in a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

An adult, free-living female red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) with clinical signs of generalized weakness, polyuria, and polydipsia, was killed and necropsied. An ante mortem serum sample taken from the bird contained 54.3 mmole/1 glucose, and large amounts of glucose were found in the urine. At necropsy, the pancreas was small, pale pink with multiple, round, approximately 0.5 mm white foci. Light and electron microscopic examination of the pancreas revealed markedly vacuolated islet cells. Histochemical examination of the tissue showed that the vacuolated cells were beta-cells. This is the first report of spontaneously occurring diabetes mellitus in a raptor.

Helminth parasites of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) from Oregon.

Helminth parasites are reported for the first time from northern spotted owls. Seventy-one percent of a sample of Strix occidentalis caurina from western Oregon was infected. Nematodes (Porrocaecum depressum, Capillaria falconis, Microtetrameres sp. and Synhimantus hamatus) were the most prevalent parasites although cestodes (Paruterina rauschi) and acanthocephalans (Centrorhynchus conspectus) were also represented. There was an association between components of this helminth fauna and the diet of spotted owls which is dominated by small rodents. The occurrence of P. rauschi rather than P. candelabraria in this geographic region and host-species may provide additional support for recognition of a parapatric distribution in the ranges of Paruterina spp. among strigiforms in the Nearctic.

Toxicity of excess dicalcium phosphate in the diet of turkey poults.

High mortality in 1-week-old commercial turkey poults was attributed to the accidental substitution of dicalcium phosphate in the diet for corn. At necropsy of the affected birds, lesions were observed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, suggesting acute ingestion of a caustic substance. Mortality and gross and microscopic lesions were reproduced experimentally in turkey poults fed diets similar to the diet fed in the field case. The cause of these lesions was attributed to increased pH due to the phosphoric acid content of the diet.

Cervical dorsal spondylosis with spinal cord compression in a black swan (Cygnus atratus).

Cervical dorsal spondylosis with spinal cord compression in a black swan (Cygnus atratus) was confirmed radiographically and morphologically. Clinically ataxia was associated. Noninflammatory, degenerative changes of the synovial joint cartilage were associated with the spondylosis.

Identification of ferrous sulfate toxicity in a commercial broiler flock.

A 2.5% mortality rate was observed in a flock of 19,000 commercial one-day-old broiler chicks that had been placed 24 hours previously on litter treated with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate. Ulcerative ventriculitis and severe hepatopathy were the primary lesions observed grossly and microscopically. Pooled digesta contained 6854 ppm iron. Lesions identical to those found in the field case were reproduced experimentally.