Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2026

Primary Endodermal Epithelial Cell Culture from the Yolk Sac Membrane of Japanese Quail Embryos
Published on: March 10, 2016
Septicemic proteus infection in Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Insights
Proteus mirabilis caused severe depression, coma, and mortality in quail chicks. This study demonstrates the bacterium
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Avian Diseases
Background:
- Proteus infections can cause significant mortality in poultry.
- Understanding the specific pathogens affecting quail is crucial for disease prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of severe depression and mortality in quail chicks.
- To confirm the pathogenicity of the isolated bacterium in experimental models.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and biochemical identification of the causative organism from affected quail chicks.
- Pathogenicity testing of the isolate in mice and quail chicks.
Main Results:
- Proteus mirabilis was isolated from the heart blood and lungs of affected quail chicks.
- Inoculation of P. mirabilis caused severe disease and mortality in experimental quail chicks and mice within 48 hours.
- Pathological lesions included lung, liver, and kidney congestion, and tracheal mucus exudation.
Conclusions:
- Proteus mirabilis is identified as the cause of a septicemic disease in Japanese quails.
- This is the first report demonstrating the association of P. mirabilis with disease in Japanese quails.
Abstract:
Proteus infection was incriminated as the cause of severe depression, coma, and high mortality in successive broods of quail chicks. The pathological lesions comprised congestion of lungs, liver, and kidneys and mucus exudation in the trachea. The organism, isolated from the heart blood and lungs of affected chicks, was identified on biochemical tests as Proteus mirabilis. Pathogenicity of the isolate was tested in young albino mice and week-old quail chicks, which succumbed to infection within 48 hours of inoculation. Association of P. mirabilis with septicemic disease in Japanese quails has apparently been demonstrated for the first time.

