The Evolving Landscape of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in Turkeys: A Review

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is a Gram-negative, pleomorphic rod-shaped bacterium that causes respiratory disease in the commercial poultry industry. This bacterium has been causing severe disease in chickens and turkeys since it emerged in the 1980s. In birds, increased mortality, reduced egg production, and loss in weight gain gives ORT the potential to have severe economic implications. In older birds, ORT causes more severe lesions and increases in mortality; therefore it is of particular concern in the breeder industry because infection and loss of production in breeders impact all stages of production. Despite the importance of ORT, few published studies have contributed to understanding of the diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of this disease. This review discusses the evolving landscape of ORT and summarizes an update on important issues related to ORT.