Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
06:57
Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification LAMP Assays for the Species-specific Detection of Eimeria that Infect Chickens
Published on: February 20, 2015
27.1K
100% Mortality in Commercial Slow-Growing Broiler Chickens with Acute Fowl Cholera
Ian Miller1, Carmen Jerry1, Veronica Nguyen1
1Turlock Branch, University of California, Davis, California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, Turlock, CA 95380.
Avian Diseases
|July 11, 2025
Summary
A severe outbreak of acute fowl cholera (FC) caused by Pasteurella multocida in slow-growing broiler chickens resulted in 100% mortality. This highlights the need for improved biosecurity and vaccination in these systems.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Avian Infectious Diseases
- Poultry Production Systems
Background:
- Acute fowl cholera (FC) outbreaks can cause significant economic losses in commercial poultry.
- Slow-growing broiler chickens may have different disease susceptibility compared to traditional broilers.
- Limited data exists on FC outbreaks specifically in slow-growing broiler production systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail a severe case of acute fowl cholera in a commercial slow-growing broiler flock.
- To identify the causative agent and its characteristics.
- To assess the prevalence of FC in slow-growing versus traditional broilers over an 11-year period.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of three broiler cases submitted at different production stages.
- Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for definitive diagnosis.
- Aerobic culture and isolation of Pasteurella multocida.
- Serotyping and restriction enzyme analysis (HhaI fingerprinting) of the P. multocida isolate.
- Retrospective analysis of FC cases in avian species submitted to CAHFS over 11 years.
Main Results:
- A severe outbreak of acute fowl cholera occurred in a flock of 25,000 slow-growing broilers, leading to 100% mortality by 14 weeks of age.
- Gross and histopathological findings included petechia, hepatic and splenic necrosis, pulmonary edema, and bacterial colonies.
- Pasteurella multocida, serovar 1 (HhaI 0001), was identified as the causative agent.
- A review of 11 years of avian cases at CAHFS revealed 10 FC cases in slow-growing broilers but none in traditional broilers.
Conclusions:
- This case report documents a severe FC outbreak in slow-growing broilers, emphasizing their potential vulnerability.
- The findings suggest that slow-growing broiler systems may be at higher risk for FC compared to traditional systems.
- Enhanced biosecurity measures and consideration of vaccination strategies are crucial for mitigating FC risks in slow-growing poultry production.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:01Production Efficiency
15.7K
Net production efficiency (NPE) is the efficiency at which organisms assimilate energy into biomass for the next trophic level. Due to low metabolic rates and less energy spent on thermoregulatory processes, the NPE of ectotherms (cold-blooded animals) is 10 times higher than endotherms (warm-blooded animals).
15.7K
01:29Life Histories
16.5K
Overview
16.5K
00:57Population Growth
23.2K
Population size is dynamic, increasing with birth rates and immigration, and decreasing with death rates and emigration. In ideal conditions with unlimited resources, populations can increase exponentially, which plots as a J-shaped growth rate curve of population size against time. This type of curve is characteristic of newly-introduced invasive species, or populations that have suffered catastrophic declines and are rebounding.
23.2K
01:50Threats to Biodiversity
21.9K
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
21.9K
02:39Predator-Prey Interactions
17.2K
Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.
17.2K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
7.8K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
7.8K