Cervical scoliosis and torticollis: a novel skeletal anomaly in broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Among the most prominent health problems marring the global poultry industry for several decades are skeletal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate a recent emergence of a novel form of skeletal deformity affecting cervical spine in broiler chickens. This work presents the natural history of this newly emerging skeletal anomaly along with long term observations of epidemiological trends in commercial broiler flocks, and clinical and pathological features. RESULTS: In distinction from other forms of skeletal deformities commonly reported in broiler chickens, this new form of cervical spine anomaly have been observed in newly hatched chicks and in fully developed embryos that died in the shell. On clinical and post mortem examination this condition presents characteristic features consistent with congenital cervical scoliosis and torticollis (CCST). The pathogenesis of CCST appears to be linked to pathological remodeling of the cervical vertebrae bone associated with excessive activity of osteoclasts. Long term observations indicate that the incidence of CCST showed increasing epidemiological trends over time. More recently CCST has been observed in newly hatched chicks with incidence ranging from 0.1 to > 1%, and in fully developed embryos that failed to hatch about 4 to 5%. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing trends in incidence of CCST in commercial broiler flocks are of concern from an economic perspective, and also represent a very specific and important aspect of animal welfare.

Indigenous knowledge of pastoralists on respiratory diseases of camels in northern Kenya.

The camel disease terminology of pastoralists in northern Kenya differentiates between two respiratory disease complexes of camels. Participatory epidemiology data were collected in 2011 in three camel keeping communities (Gabra, Garri, and Somali) and analysed to assess the validity of this differentiation. Further queries assessed recurrence of the disease in the same animal, most affected age group, relative frequency of occurrence, morbidity rates, mortality rates and response to antibiotic treatment. Based on matrix scoring the cardinal symptom nasal discharge was significantly correlated with Respiratory Disease Complex 1 (RDC1; Somali Hergeb, Gabra & Garri Furri) while cough was correlated with Respiratory Disease Complex 2 (RDC2; Somali Dhuguta, Gabra Qufa, Garri Dhugud). RDC1 appears to occur regularly every year and does not respond to antibiotic treatments while outbreaks of RDC2 are only observed at intervals of several years and treated cases do generally respond to antibiotics. While RDC1 is more severe in calves, RDC 2 is mostly associated with respiratory disease in adults. Elements of this differentiation appear to be in agreement with other authors who differentiate between camel influenza (PI3 virus) and bacterial camel pneumonia, respectively.

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Trauma-induced Chronic Torticollis in Raptors.

Management of trauma-induced chronic torticollis in raptors has historically been challenging. Euthanasia is common in affected birds because of their inability to maintain normal cervical position, although they may be able to function normally. To assess effectiveness of physical therapy of the neck and head as an adjunct treatment for this condition, a case-control study was done in raptors admitted to the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program from 2003 to 2010. Eleven cases were identified with a diagnosis of chronic torticollis resulting from traumatic brain injury. Five cases were treated with physical therapy of the head and neck, and 6 control cases did not receive any physical therapy for the torticollis. Of the control cases, 0 of 6 had resolution of the torticollis, 0 of 6 were released, and 5 of 6 were euthanatized. Of the treated cases, 4 of 5 had complete resolution of the torticollis and 5 of 5 were released. Resolution of torticollis differed significantly between cases receiving physical therapy and controls. These results indicate that physical therapy should be used as an adjunctive therapy in cases of chronic torticollis induced by trauma in raptors because it results in better resolution of the torticollis and increased likelihood of release.

Successful management of acute-onset torticollis in a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata).

A 2-yr-old male reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) presented with severe midcervical segmental torticollis upon arrival as an incoming shipment. Despite initial medical management, the giraffe developed marked neck sensitivity, focal muscle spasms, and decreased cervical range of motion. Using operant conditioning to assist patient positioning and tolerance to cervical manipulation, a series of manually applied chiropractic treatments were applied to the affected cervical vertebrae in an effort to restore normal cervical mobility. Laser therapy and cervical range of motion exercises were also used to reduce cervical muscle hypertonicity. The combined application of these nontraditional therapies produced marked clinical improvement. This case highlights the potential benefits of combining traditional medical management with chiropractic treatment and physical therapy techniques for management of severe acute-onset torticollis in a giraffe.

Naturally occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis-associated choriomeningitis in a guinea pig with neurologic signs.

An adult male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) with a 1-month history of hind limb paresis, torticollis, and seizures was euthanized and submitted for necropsy. Gross examination was unremarkable, but histologic examination revealed multifocal eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic choriomeningitis and cross sections of nematode parasites within the leptomeninges of the midbrain and diencephalon. Morphologic features of the nematode were consistent with a metastrongyle, and the parasite was identified as Parelaphostrongylus tenuis by polymerase chain reaction testing and nucleotide sequencing. Further questioning of the owner revealed that the guinea pig was fed grass from a yard often grazed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a naturally occurring P. tenuis infection in a guinea pig.

First isolation and identification of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica from cultured tiger frog, Rana tigerina rugulosa.

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica has been recognised as an occasional but serious opportunistic bacterial pathogen to human beings. Recently, it was frequently isolated from tiger frog, Rana tigerina rugulosa, with cataract disease, which is the most common disease of unknown aetiology of frogs in Hainan, China. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterise the bacterial strains isolated from the recent outbreaks of cataract disease in farmed tiger frog in Hainan, China, and to evaluate their pathogenicity to the frog and their sensitivity to 20 chemotherapeutic agents. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains W0701 (1478bp), W0702 (1477bp) and W0703 (1478bp) showed 98.6-98.7% similarity with the sequence of E. meningoseptica type strain (ATCC 13253) and 99.9-100% similarity with that of E. meningoseptica NTU 870424-IL. Six strains (W0701-W0706) were selected to represent 24 isolates retrieved from six moribund frogs. The morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of the six representative isolates were consistent with those of E. meningoseptica strains. The organisms were only susceptible to vancomycin and moderately susceptible to cefoperazone among the 20 investigated chemotherapeutic agents. Virulence test with strain W0702 was conducted and pathogenicity (by intramuscular injection) was demonstrated in the tiger frog. In conclusion, 24 isolates obtained from frogs with cataract disease were the E. meningoseptica strains highly pathogenic to tiger frog, and this is the first report of E. meningoseptica as a pathogen for tiger frog.

[Arthrogryposis associated with facial scoliosis and torticollis in German Holstein calves]. / Arthrogrypose in Verbindung mit Gesichtsskoliose und Tortikollis bei Deutschen Holsteinkälbern.

In 13 German Holstein calves from two different dairy farms arthrogryposis of the front legs, facial scoliosis and torticollis were observed. Obvious environmental reasons could not be found. Chromosomal anomalies in two affected calves were not detectable. A striking feature was the high frequency of affected calves among the offspring of one natural service sire. A plausible explanation of the congenital anomalies observed is a dominantly inherited mutation restricted to germ cells.

Avian encephalomyelitis in naturally infected pigeons in Turkey.

The pathological and immunohistochemical findings of avian encephalomyelitis (AE) were described in various tissues of naturally infected pigeons of a flock from a outbreak in Turkey. Clinically, paresis, paralysis, circling movement and torticollis of the head associated with nervous signs were marked symptoms among the diseased pigeons. At necropsy, small or large white-greyish foci were detected in the pancreas, and erosive-ulcerative foci along with petechial hemorrhages in ingluves. Histopathologically, lesions in central nervous system, particularly in the cerebellum molecular layer, consisted of non-suppurative encephalomyelitis. Lesions in the pancreas revealed non-suppurative pancreatitis along with acinar degeneration and necrosis and/or lymphoid aggregations. Immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues was performed using a direct-fluorescein antibody technique with chicken anti-AE virus serum fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate. Viral antigen was strongly stained in cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the exocrine glands, and neurons of the cerebral hemispheres and midbrain. In addition, viral antigen was also marked in the kidneys and tissues of the digestive system. Consequently, this article is, to our knowledge, the first report of natural AE in pigeons.

Experimental furazolidone toxicosis in broiler chicks: effect of dosage, duration and age upon clinical signs and some blood parameters.

Groups of broiler chicks of one day and three weeks of age were given feeds containing 0, 400, 800 and 1000 mg furazolidone (Fz)/kg for three weeks. The age of the birds and the dose and duration of Fz treatment significantly (P < or = 0.05) influenced the parameters studied. Clinical signs of Fz toxicosis included ascites, leg weakness and nervous derangement like convulsions and torticollis. The body weight also decreased. Ascites and nervous derangement was not observed in birds fed 400 mg Fz from one day of age. Fz-fed birds developed anaemia and had lower plasma total protein and albumin levels than those fed no Fz. The decrease in body weight was related to reduced feed intake. Decreases found in the haematological parameters and plasma proteins showed no correlation with the chicks' age but were related to the dose and duration of Fz treatment.

Occipital condylar dysplasia in two Jacob sheep.

Two young Jacob sheep which presented with severe ataxia and torticollis had abnormally formed atlanto-occipital joints. Postmortem examination revealed marked dissimilarity in size between the left and right occipital condyles, with reduction in size of the foramen magnum. The atlantoaxial joint and dens were normally formed, and were not abnormally positioned in radiographs taken of one lamb. Histological evaluation of the cervicomedullary junction demonstrated extensive loss of axons and myelin, gliosis, and mild hydromyelia in one lamb.

Wry necks associated with Mycoplasma meleagridis infection in a backyard flock of turkeys.

Two 5-week-old bronze turkeys were submitted with crooked necks that could not be straightened. Both birds were serologically and culturally positive for Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM). Histologically, there were lymphoid follicles in the cranial thoracic and cervicoclavicular air sacs, and inflammatory changes in the cartilage of some cervical vertebrae. This appeared to be a case of MM-associated wry necks.

Head tilt in rabbits caused by pasteurellosis and encephalitozoonosis.

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of non-dwarf (Group A) and dwarf (Group B) strains showing a common clinical sign of head tilt (torticollis) were examined. With 1 exception, all rabbits of group A had otitis and empyema of either one or both middle ears. Pasteurella multocida was isolated from pus and from the nose of all but 1 of these rabbits, and on occasion was also isolated from the brain. By contrast in all dwarf rabbits the presence of the protozoan Encephalitozoon cuniculi was confirmed both histologically and serologically. This parasite did not affect the ears of the animals but rather the central nervous system. We assume that the different exposure to both agents, rather than the degree of susceptibility, was responsible for the differences found between the 2 types of rabbits.

Aetiology and pathogenesis of congenital torticollis and head scoliosis in the equine foetus.

In 214 cases of severe dystocia in mares, of which 141 (66 per cent) were Draught horses, deviation of the head and neck, with or without torticollis, malformed head and limbs were found to be the cause of dystocia. No evidence of a genetic lethal factor was found and torticollis was often combined with scoliosis of the head and, frequently, with malformation of one or more limbs. This is considered evidence of a common aetiology and pathogenesis of the syndrome of malformation. The malformations were found to be associated with an increased incidence of caudal and, particularly, transverse presentations. These findings are presented as evidence to support the hypothesis that, during the second half of pregnancy, the narrow tip of the uterine horns provides only limited space for the developing cranial half of the foetus. The surprisingly rapid and complete anatomical and functional recovery of severe malformations of the bones of the neck, head and limbs of surviving foals, born by caesarian section, is taken as further evidence that these malformations have no genetic basis, but originate from unfavourable intrauterine conditions.

Vaccination studies of aspergillosis in turkeys: subcutaneous inoculation with several vaccine preparations followed by aerosol challenge exposure.

Five vaccines were prepared from an isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus: a culture filtrate vaccine (I), a spore vaccine (II), a mycelial vaccine (III), and 2 germling vaccines (IV and V). The 2 germling vaccines were produced on different media. Two experiments were conducted to test the vaccines for efficacy in groups of 21 turkey poults by giving each bird 2 subcutaneous inoculations of the respective vaccine at 1 and 2 weeks of age. The birds were challenge exposed to an aerosol of spores of A fumigatus at 1 month of age. The 2 experiments differed only in the challenge exposure. In experiment 1, 38% of the poults were protected when vaccinated with an A fumigatus germling vaccine (IV) and challenge exposed with a dose of aerosolized A fumigatus spores that killed 100% of the nonvaccinated controls. Onset of postchallenge-exposure deaths were delayed by 2 days in the turkeys given vaccine IV. In experiment 2, 48% of the poults were protected when given germling vaccine IV, whereas 62% to 86% of the poults in the nonvaccinated and 3 other vaccine groups died. In experiment 2, 50% of the poults given a mycelial vaccine (III) were protected. Torticollis was a frequent sign of the disease in experiment 2.