Fecal streptococcal infection of commercial white pekin ducklings

An acute septicemic disease was reported in 1-to-2-week-old white pekin ducklings on eight Long Island duck farms. Gross lesions were primarily hepatomegaly and enlarged necrotic spleens. Fibrinous pericarditis, perihepatitis, and airsacculitis were observed in some birds. Mortality ranged from 0.5 to 5%. Streptococcus faecium was isolated from heart blood, livers, lungs, and spleens of sick or dead ducklings. Serologically, all isolates belonged to Lancefield Serogroup D. The disease was reproduced in 8-day-old susceptible ducklings by parenteral infection. The lesions were indistinguishable from those observed in field outbreaks. Novobiocin at 350 g per ton of feed was effective in controlling mortality in the field.