Facial cellulitis associated with fowl cholera in commercial turkeys

Severe cephalic swelling and facial cellulitis in turkeys associated with fowl cholera were present in seven accessions submitted to two laboratories in a 2-year period. Flocks ranged in age from 6 to 18 weeks and included both toms and hens. Interestingly, turkeys with facial cellulitis had no gross internal lesions of fowl cholera, whereas birds with gross lung, liver, and air-sac lesions did not have swollen heads. Histologically, the facial cellulitis was characterized by extensive fibrinonecrotic inflammation of the deep dermis with heterophilic perivasculitis and thrombosis. Additional characterization of Pasteurella multocida isolates from these cases was conducted retrospectively from lyophilized cultures. Serogrouping, serotyping, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for dermonecrotic factor were performed. All isolates were serogroup A or unencapsulated. Serotype 1 was the most prevalent serotype isolated in association with facial cellulitis. ELISA results for dermonecrotic toxin were inconclusive.