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Fowl Typhoid—A Comparison of Various European Strains With those of North America
FOWL TYPHOID—A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS EUROPEAN STRAINS W I T H THOSE OP NORTH AMERICA
INTEODUCTION
The causative organism of avian typhosus has been known by several designations since its discovery. In Europe this organism is known as Klein's bacillus, Bacterium sanguinarium or gallinarium alkalifacians. "While American investigators sometimes know this organism as B. gallinarium it is generally recognized as Bacterium sanguinarium (Eberthella sanguinaria —Moore). Historicallj', Klein first investigated the disease in 1888 with such results as to have the causative organism known as Klein's bacillus and the disease as Klein's disease on the continent of Europe. Moore's work in America in 1895 lead to the designation of the organism as B. sanguinarium and the disease as Infectious Leukemia. Since that time the disease has been investigated by various authorities with such attending results as to bring out the fact that the causative organism is one of considerable virulence, and the disease a potent menace to poultrymen in infected areas. In an effort to correlate the European strains with those of America, cultures were secured through the courtesy of the various European laboratories and comparative studies were made as to morphology, physiology, and clinical symptoms including blood studies as produced in birds artificially infected. These studies were conducted together with the general investigation of the disease as carried out by this laboratory during the past 18 months. MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES.—The fowl typhoid bacillus is a short, thick rod, occurring singly or in pairs, measuring 1 to 2 microns by 0.5 micron; stains peripherally; non-spor forming; gram negative ; staining readily with most aniline stains, but best with fuchsin, and is non-motile. 119
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
B. F. KAUPP AND R. S. DEARSTYNE Prom the Poultry Pathological Research Laboratory, Experiment Station of the State College, Raleigh, North Carolina
Ί20
POULTRY
SCIENCE
CuLTURAT. CH.VRACTERISTICS.—GroΛvth on a g a r slant—beaded, abundant, raised, smooth, opaque in 24 hours ; the agar colonies are raised, entire, circular, and finely g r a n u l a r . The optimum t e m p e r a t u r e is 3 7 % ° C . The optimum acidity of medium is p H 6.4 although the organism has a higli tolerance to organic acids, suitable growth being obtained on agar acidified with for mic, malic, and oxalic acids between the ranges of p H 4.8 and p H 7.0. I t does not liquify gelatin, is non-ehromogenic, pro duces heav}' n i t r a t e reduction in n i t r a t e broth and on n i t r a t e agar without gas. It produces aerobic growth in glucose a g a r shake, a slight production of hydrogen sulphide on surface of acetate agar, the growth on potato is fairly abundant, and yelΙθΛν-brown in color. There is a slight production in some in stances of indol with the Salkowski test, but no reaction Mas ob tained with the vanilin test, nor with Ehrlicli's method. Slight diastatic reaction takes place on starch agar. The thermal death point when exposed for ten minutes is 62t/2°. It lives in both distilled and t a p water in the dark for over 20 days, but is killed in the same medium in the sunlight in less t h a n 24 hours. On glass rods the organism retains its vitality in the dark for 89
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Fig. 1.—Photograph of a Mottled Ancona hen with a well developed case of Fowl Typhoid.
FOWL
TYPHOID
121
Fig. 2.—Photograph of an Agar slant growth of B. s a n g u i n a r i u m (BbcrthcUa sanguinaria}. ( N a t u r a l size.)
Carbohydrate studies Avere made as shown in the charts below, tlie technique being that of the Society of American Bacteriolcgists, pure culture study, 1923, the tests being incubated for five days at 37i/>°C.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
liours, but it loses it in the sunlight in less than 30 hours. It resists dry heat to the extent of giving good growtii Avhen subjeeted to 75°C. for five minutes, but failing to give growth when subjected to tlic same t e m p e r a t u r e for ten minutes. It is killed in a dilution of 1:1000 phenol, and in 1:20,000 HgCL. Stock cultures show decided less in viriilence after being transferred for several generations en i;rtificial medium.
122
POULTRY
·;-.>'··.
'" il^^'iï^,#iRâ^
,.^-- wymm
>:«»^· . L·. -
^ ^^1^^:!^
Fig. 3.—Photomicrograph of Β. s a n g u i n a r i u m riaj.
(Ebcrthella
sanguina-
Such physiological and morphological differences as existed between the European and the American strains were so slight as to be negligible. ARTIFICIAL INFECTION.—Studies on 38 cases of fowl typhoid, the disease being produced, by infecting birds per orum, subcutaneously, and through the drinking water, show the incuba tion period of this disease to be from 4 to 6 days before definite clinical symptoms appear. Temperature in severe cases runs as high as 111.5°F, respiration going as low as 23. The organism was recovered from the blood current of infected birds in two instances—4 days after infection and 6 days after infection. In one instance the organism recovered was used as infecting agent of another bird, this bird dying while the original host recovered and after recovery had a normal laying rate until accidentally injured. There is a slight formation of agglutinin during the early part of the disease, demonstrated by Widal and by micro scopic agglutination tests in low dilutions. Hematological studies show a reduction of erythrocytes, leucocytosis, with a decided increase in polymorphonuclear leueocj'tes. There is a decided lack of coagulabilitj^ of the blood. The polymorpho-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
* , ί?
4Ν:\ *^'·
SCIENCE
FOWL
TYPHOID
TABLE
123
I
C A E B O H Y D E A T E S T U D I E S W I T H B . S A N G U I N A E I U M T E C H N I Q U E OF AMERICAN BACTERIOLOGISTS, P U R E C U L T U R E 1923,
STUDY,
INCUBATION 5 D A Y S A T 371/2° C.
Reduction 0.55 + 0.27 0.70 0.58 1.28 0.65 0.31 0.61 0.20 0.48 0.44 0.72 0.50 0.69 0.45
Acid or Alkaline Acid Alkaline Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid
T A B L E IX D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF CARBOHYDRATES OF B . S A N G U I N A R I U J E U R O P E A N AND AMERICAN
Arabinose Gas Acid 0 0.60 English 0 0.80 French 0 0.60 Holland 0 0.40 Belgian 0 0.40 Cal., U. S. A. N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.40 Saccharose Strain Gas Acid 0 0.50 English 0 0.40 French Holland 0 0.50 Belgian 0 0.40 0 0.30 Cal., U. S. A. N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.50 Salacin Strain Gas Acid 0 0.60 English French 0 0.20 0 0.30 Holland Belgian 0 0.40 Cal., U. S. A. 0 0.80 N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.20 Strain
Lactose Gas Acid 0 0 0 0.10 0 0 0 0.20 0 0.10 0 0 Raffiinose Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.50 0 0.20 0 0.40 Lévulose Gas Acid 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.20 0 0.80 0 0.80
STRAINS
Mannite Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.70 0 0.50 0 0.70 0 0.70 0 0.50 Galactose Gas Acid 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.80 Ehamnose Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.50 0 0.60 0 0.20
Dextrose Gas Acid 0 0.50 0 0.70 0 0.70 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.70 Inulin Gas Acid 0 0 0 0 Β 0.20 0 0.20 0 0.40 0 0.40 Xylose Gas Acid 0 1.0 0 1.0 0 0.40 0 0.70 0 1.0 0 0.60
Maltose Gas Acid 0 1.60 0 1.10 0 0.90 0 0.90 0 1.20 0 1.40 Dulcite Gas Acid 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.50 0 0.40 0 0.80 Dextrin Gas Acid 0 0.50 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.40
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Gas Number Final pH ProducCarbohyof Initial pH (average) Strains Run tion drate 6.05 6.6 0 55 Arabinose 6.87 6.6 0 23 Lactose 5.70 6.4 0 21 Mannite 6.02 6.6 0 23 Dextrose 5.38 0 6.6 25 Maltose 5.95 6.6 0 54 Saccharose 6.19 6.6 0 50 Raffinose 5.99 6.6 0 48 Galactose 6.10 0 52 Inulin 6.6 6.12 6.6 0 54 Dulcite 5.96 6.4 Salacin 0 49 5.88 54 Lévulose 6.6 0 6.10 0 52 6.6 Rhamnose 5.71 6.4 0 55 Xylose 6.15 6.6 0 53 Dextrin
124
POULTRY
SCIENCE
nuclear leucocytes may r u n as liigli as 95 p e r cent while the lymphocytes m a y go doAvn to 5 p e r cent ; the erythrocytes fall as ΙοΛν as 1,160,000; the face, comb, a n d wattles become aenemie; hemoglobin m a v fall to 75.
GROSS .\ND MICROSCOPIC
ANATOMY.—Post
mortem
examina
tions show rigor mortis soon after doatli. ï l i e comb, face, a n d Tisible mucus membranes may be aenemie. Serous effusion m a y be obserA-ed around the heart a n d livei" ; hydroperieardium m a j be present. The heart is congested and lias a parboiled ajijiearanee. Microscopically congestion is ])resent. Some of the muscle fibers luive lost their cross striation, a n d cloudy swelling exists. The gross apjiearance of the liver shows enlargement, friable, dark-red in some cases, areas of focal necrosis exist, and bloou drips from the sectioned surface. Microscopically both active and passive congestion are present. Areas invaded by cells of inflamiiuition indicate hepatitis. Cloudy swelling may be
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Fig, 4.—Photograpli of a Single Comb White Leghorn hen, dead of fowl typhoid. Abdominal wall laid open showing h e a r t , liver, and giz zard. Liver weighs 130 g r a m s (normal weight 35 g r a m s ) . Artificial infection.
FOWL TYPHOID
125
Fig. 5.—Temperature chart o£ artificially infected fowls with English,. French, Belgian, Holland, California (U.S.A.), and North Carolina (U.. S.A.), strains of B. Sanguinarium (Eberthella sanguinaria), each ter minating in death. It is interesting to note the convergence of temper ature around 109.5 degrees. Some birds resist infection longer than others, although most birds usually succumb in less than ten days ac cording to laboratory findings.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
present. Some areas show groups of cells losing their nuclei, and nearing focal necrosis. The kidneys appear swollen, the sectioned surface is grayish in color. Narrow red streaks are observed over the surface indi cating congestion. Microscopically both active and passive con gestion are present. Areas in which cells are losing their nuclei and nearing a state of focal necrosis are seen. Glomerulitis may be present. The spleen is enlarged, dark, and sometimes mottled. The lungs are normal. In several cases the intestinal contents may be hemorrhagic and hemorrhage of the inner wall exists. Brberthella sanguinaria may be recovered from the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, 0Λ^aries or testicles according to sex, hydropericardial fluid if present, bone marrow and brain. Evidently a true septicaemia is produced. The following graph shows the temperature charts of birds artificially infected with the various continental strains and American strains respectively, with the end point death.
126
POULTRY
SCIENCE
> • - - . .
- - ^
'
^.
r»^%
^
\^.^^ . ?^V:--
m^mm\i
• * * . -
«W»-!?·
Fig. 6.—Photograph of hemorrhage (petechiae and suggilation) of the intestine of a fowl dead of fowl typhoid. (Natural size.) disease would tend to refute the theory that the disease is trans mitted t h r o u g h the eggs, inasmuch as the disease seems to con fine itelf for the most p a r t to adults, though in two outbreaks there were heavy losses among growing fowls from the size of p a r t r i d g e s u p , also among t u r k e y s a n d ducks.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
EPIORNITHOLOGICAL STUDIES.—As to foci of infection, field studies revealed a starting point with a definite progress in case of well defined epidemics. No conveying agent could be found as only in r a r e instances could the investigators establish such contact between the farms as would be a factor in t r a n s m i t t i n g the disease. The possibilities of English sparrows being the convejdng agent are u n d e r investigation at the present time. The organism is eliminated from the body through the bowel dis charges a n d undoubtedly the disease is t r a n s m i t t e d from b i r d to bird by immediate contact, the picking u p t h r o u g h soiled food of infected droppings, drinking from a common water container, being shipped in infected coops, introduction of sick fowls, a n d such other methods of infection as are found in poultry y a r d s . To date efforts of this laboratory to prove t h a t the disease is t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h eggs has been unsuccessful, although an organism has been isolated from eggs laid by an artificially in fected bird Λvhich has the morphological a n d physiological characteristics of B. sanguinarium, b u t to date we have been unable to produce death in artificial infection though mild symp toms of typhoid have been produced. Field history of the
• FOWL TYPHOID
127
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
METHOD OF CONTROL.—The most practical method of treat ment of this disease is vaccination, using autogenous vaccines when possible, and stock vaccines when unable to secure the autogenous. The same principle of desensitization as in making other vaccines is used in preparing fowl tJφhoid vaccine—24 hour bacillary saline emulsion being heated for one hour at 60°C. tested for efficiency of desensitization by guinea pig inocu lation and cultures, and preserved with y^ per cent phenol. The dosage used was 1 c. c. for adults and % c. c. for chicks. In 19 epidemics, 2140 birds were vaccinated. Prior to vacci nation the loss had been 303 birds in these flocks. Subsequent to vaccination the loss was 41, practically all of the birds having well defined typhoid Avhen vaccinated. Of 974 birds prophylact'ically vaccinated this year (1923) on infected premises, no losses occurred from this disease. The writers wish to take this opportunity of thanking the directors and workers of the following laboratories for sending us transfers of B. sanguinarium cultures they carried in stock. Pasteur Institute, Paris, France ; Louvain UniA^ersity, Louvain, Belgium; State Serum Laboratory, Rotterdam, Holland; Lister Institute, London, England ; University of California and other American Institutions.
INTEODUCTION
The causative organism of avian typhosus has been known by several designations since its discovery. In Europe this organism is known as Klein's bacillus, Bacterium sanguinarium or gallinarium alkalifacians. "While American investigators sometimes know this organism as B. gallinarium it is generally recognized as Bacterium sanguinarium (Eberthella sanguinaria —Moore). Historicallj', Klein first investigated the disease in 1888 with such results as to have the causative organism known as Klein's bacillus and the disease as Klein's disease on the continent of Europe. Moore's work in America in 1895 lead to the designation of the organism as B. sanguinarium and the disease as Infectious Leukemia. Since that time the disease has been investigated by various authorities with such attending results as to bring out the fact that the causative organism is one of considerable virulence, and the disease a potent menace to poultrymen in infected areas. In an effort to correlate the European strains with those of America, cultures were secured through the courtesy of the various European laboratories and comparative studies were made as to morphology, physiology, and clinical symptoms including blood studies as produced in birds artificially infected. These studies were conducted together with the general investigation of the disease as carried out by this laboratory during the past 18 months. MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES.—The fowl typhoid bacillus is a short, thick rod, occurring singly or in pairs, measuring 1 to 2 microns by 0.5 micron; stains peripherally; non-spor forming; gram negative ; staining readily with most aniline stains, but best with fuchsin, and is non-motile. 119
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
B. F. KAUPP AND R. S. DEARSTYNE Prom the Poultry Pathological Research Laboratory, Experiment Station of the State College, Raleigh, North Carolina
Ί20
POULTRY
SCIENCE
CuLTURAT. CH.VRACTERISTICS.—GroΛvth on a g a r slant—beaded, abundant, raised, smooth, opaque in 24 hours ; the agar colonies are raised, entire, circular, and finely g r a n u l a r . The optimum t e m p e r a t u r e is 3 7 % ° C . The optimum acidity of medium is p H 6.4 although the organism has a higli tolerance to organic acids, suitable growth being obtained on agar acidified with for mic, malic, and oxalic acids between the ranges of p H 4.8 and p H 7.0. I t does not liquify gelatin, is non-ehromogenic, pro duces heav}' n i t r a t e reduction in n i t r a t e broth and on n i t r a t e agar without gas. It produces aerobic growth in glucose a g a r shake, a slight production of hydrogen sulphide on surface of acetate agar, the growth on potato is fairly abundant, and yelΙθΛν-brown in color. There is a slight production in some in stances of indol with the Salkowski test, but no reaction Mas ob tained with the vanilin test, nor with Ehrlicli's method. Slight diastatic reaction takes place on starch agar. The thermal death point when exposed for ten minutes is 62t/2°. It lives in both distilled and t a p water in the dark for over 20 days, but is killed in the same medium in the sunlight in less t h a n 24 hours. On glass rods the organism retains its vitality in the dark for 89
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Fig. 1.—Photograph of a Mottled Ancona hen with a well developed case of Fowl Typhoid.
FOWL
TYPHOID
121
Fig. 2.—Photograph of an Agar slant growth of B. s a n g u i n a r i u m (BbcrthcUa sanguinaria}. ( N a t u r a l size.)
Carbohydrate studies Avere made as shown in the charts below, tlie technique being that of the Society of American Bacteriolcgists, pure culture study, 1923, the tests being incubated for five days at 37i/>°C.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
liours, but it loses it in the sunlight in less than 30 hours. It resists dry heat to the extent of giving good growtii Avhen subjeeted to 75°C. for five minutes, but failing to give growth when subjected to tlic same t e m p e r a t u r e for ten minutes. It is killed in a dilution of 1:1000 phenol, and in 1:20,000 HgCL. Stock cultures show decided less in viriilence after being transferred for several generations en i;rtificial medium.
122
POULTRY
·;-.>'··.
'" il^^'iï^,#iRâ^
,.^-- wymm
>:«»^· . L·. -
^ ^^1^^:!^
Fig. 3.—Photomicrograph of Β. s a n g u i n a r i u m riaj.
(Ebcrthella
sanguina-
Such physiological and morphological differences as existed between the European and the American strains were so slight as to be negligible. ARTIFICIAL INFECTION.—Studies on 38 cases of fowl typhoid, the disease being produced, by infecting birds per orum, subcutaneously, and through the drinking water, show the incuba tion period of this disease to be from 4 to 6 days before definite clinical symptoms appear. Temperature in severe cases runs as high as 111.5°F, respiration going as low as 23. The organism was recovered from the blood current of infected birds in two instances—4 days after infection and 6 days after infection. In one instance the organism recovered was used as infecting agent of another bird, this bird dying while the original host recovered and after recovery had a normal laying rate until accidentally injured. There is a slight formation of agglutinin during the early part of the disease, demonstrated by Widal and by micro scopic agglutination tests in low dilutions. Hematological studies show a reduction of erythrocytes, leucocytosis, with a decided increase in polymorphonuclear leueocj'tes. There is a decided lack of coagulabilitj^ of the blood. The polymorpho-
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
* , ί?
4Ν:\ *^'·
SCIENCE
FOWL
TYPHOID
TABLE
123
I
C A E B O H Y D E A T E S T U D I E S W I T H B . S A N G U I N A E I U M T E C H N I Q U E OF AMERICAN BACTERIOLOGISTS, P U R E C U L T U R E 1923,
STUDY,
INCUBATION 5 D A Y S A T 371/2° C.
Reduction 0.55 + 0.27 0.70 0.58 1.28 0.65 0.31 0.61 0.20 0.48 0.44 0.72 0.50 0.69 0.45
Acid or Alkaline Acid Alkaline Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid
T A B L E IX D I F F E R E N T I A T I O N OF CARBOHYDRATES OF B . S A N G U I N A R I U J E U R O P E A N AND AMERICAN
Arabinose Gas Acid 0 0.60 English 0 0.80 French 0 0.60 Holland 0 0.40 Belgian 0 0.40 Cal., U. S. A. N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.40 Saccharose Strain Gas Acid 0 0.50 English 0 0.40 French Holland 0 0.50 Belgian 0 0.40 0 0.30 Cal., U. S. A. N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.50 Salacin Strain Gas Acid 0 0.60 English French 0 0.20 0 0.30 Holland Belgian 0 0.40 Cal., U. S. A. 0 0.80 N. C , U. S. A. 0 0.20 Strain
Lactose Gas Acid 0 0 0 0.10 0 0 0 0.20 0 0.10 0 0 Raffiinose Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.50 0 0.20 0 0.40 Lévulose Gas Acid 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.20 0 0.80 0 0.80
STRAINS
Mannite Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.70 0 0.50 0 0.70 0 0.70 0 0.50 Galactose Gas Acid 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.80 Ehamnose Gas Acid 0 0.60 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.50 0 0.60 0 0.20
Dextrose Gas Acid 0 0.50 0 0.70 0 0.70 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.70 Inulin Gas Acid 0 0 0 0 Β 0.20 0 0.20 0 0.40 0 0.40 Xylose Gas Acid 0 1.0 0 1.0 0 0.40 0 0.70 0 1.0 0 0.60
Maltose Gas Acid 0 1.60 0 1.10 0 0.90 0 0.90 0 1.20 0 1.40 Dulcite Gas Acid 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.50 0 0.40 0 0.80 Dextrin Gas Acid 0 0.50 0 0.40 0 0.40 0 0.60 0 0.80 0 0.40
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Gas Number Final pH ProducCarbohyof Initial pH (average) Strains Run tion drate 6.05 6.6 0 55 Arabinose 6.87 6.6 0 23 Lactose 5.70 6.4 0 21 Mannite 6.02 6.6 0 23 Dextrose 5.38 0 6.6 25 Maltose 5.95 6.6 0 54 Saccharose 6.19 6.6 0 50 Raffinose 5.99 6.6 0 48 Galactose 6.10 0 52 Inulin 6.6 6.12 6.6 0 54 Dulcite 5.96 6.4 Salacin 0 49 5.88 54 Lévulose 6.6 0 6.10 0 52 6.6 Rhamnose 5.71 6.4 0 55 Xylose 6.15 6.6 0 53 Dextrin
124
POULTRY
SCIENCE
nuclear leucocytes may r u n as liigli as 95 p e r cent while the lymphocytes m a y go doAvn to 5 p e r cent ; the erythrocytes fall as ΙοΛν as 1,160,000; the face, comb, a n d wattles become aenemie; hemoglobin m a v fall to 75.
GROSS .\ND MICROSCOPIC
ANATOMY.—Post
mortem
examina
tions show rigor mortis soon after doatli. ï l i e comb, face, a n d Tisible mucus membranes may be aenemie. Serous effusion m a y be obserA-ed around the heart a n d livei" ; hydroperieardium m a j be present. The heart is congested and lias a parboiled ajijiearanee. Microscopically congestion is ])resent. Some of the muscle fibers luive lost their cross striation, a n d cloudy swelling exists. The gross apjiearance of the liver shows enlargement, friable, dark-red in some cases, areas of focal necrosis exist, and bloou drips from the sectioned surface. Microscopically both active and passive congestion are present. Areas invaded by cells of inflamiiuition indicate hepatitis. Cloudy swelling may be
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
Fig, 4.—Photograpli of a Single Comb White Leghorn hen, dead of fowl typhoid. Abdominal wall laid open showing h e a r t , liver, and giz zard. Liver weighs 130 g r a m s (normal weight 35 g r a m s ) . Artificial infection.
FOWL TYPHOID
125
Fig. 5.—Temperature chart o£ artificially infected fowls with English,. French, Belgian, Holland, California (U.S.A.), and North Carolina (U.. S.A.), strains of B. Sanguinarium (Eberthella sanguinaria), each ter minating in death. It is interesting to note the convergence of temper ature around 109.5 degrees. Some birds resist infection longer than others, although most birds usually succumb in less than ten days ac cording to laboratory findings.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
present. Some areas show groups of cells losing their nuclei, and nearing focal necrosis. The kidneys appear swollen, the sectioned surface is grayish in color. Narrow red streaks are observed over the surface indi cating congestion. Microscopically both active and passive con gestion are present. Areas in which cells are losing their nuclei and nearing a state of focal necrosis are seen. Glomerulitis may be present. The spleen is enlarged, dark, and sometimes mottled. The lungs are normal. In several cases the intestinal contents may be hemorrhagic and hemorrhage of the inner wall exists. Brberthella sanguinaria may be recovered from the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, 0Λ^aries or testicles according to sex, hydropericardial fluid if present, bone marrow and brain. Evidently a true septicaemia is produced. The following graph shows the temperature charts of birds artificially infected with the various continental strains and American strains respectively, with the end point death.
126
POULTRY
SCIENCE
> • - - . .
- - ^
'
^.
r»^%
^
\^.^^ . ?^V:--
m^mm\i
• * * . -
«W»-!?·
Fig. 6.—Photograph of hemorrhage (petechiae and suggilation) of the intestine of a fowl dead of fowl typhoid. (Natural size.) disease would tend to refute the theory that the disease is trans mitted t h r o u g h the eggs, inasmuch as the disease seems to con fine itelf for the most p a r t to adults, though in two outbreaks there were heavy losses among growing fowls from the size of p a r t r i d g e s u p , also among t u r k e y s a n d ducks.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Universite de Sherbrooke on April 11, 2015
EPIORNITHOLOGICAL STUDIES.—As to foci of infection, field studies revealed a starting point with a definite progress in case of well defined epidemics. No conveying agent could be found as only in r a r e instances could the investigators establish such contact between the farms as would be a factor in t r a n s m i t t i n g the disease. The possibilities of English sparrows being the convejdng agent are u n d e r investigation at the present time. The organism is eliminated from the body through the bowel dis charges a n d undoubtedly the disease is t r a n s m i t t e d from b i r d to bird by immediate contact, the picking u p t h r o u g h soiled food of infected droppings, drinking from a common water container, being shipped in infected coops, introduction of sick fowls, a n d such other methods of infection as are found in poultry y a r d s . To date efforts of this laboratory to prove t h a t the disease is t r a n s m i t t e d t h r o u g h eggs has been unsuccessful, although an organism has been isolated from eggs laid by an artificially in fected bird Λvhich has the morphological a n d physiological characteristics of B. sanguinarium, b u t to date we have been unable to produce death in artificial infection though mild symp toms of typhoid have been produced. Field history of the
• FOWL TYPHOID
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METHOD OF CONTROL.—The most practical method of treat ment of this disease is vaccination, using autogenous vaccines when possible, and stock vaccines when unable to secure the autogenous. The same principle of desensitization as in making other vaccines is used in preparing fowl tJφhoid vaccine—24 hour bacillary saline emulsion being heated for one hour at 60°C. tested for efficiency of desensitization by guinea pig inocu lation and cultures, and preserved with y^ per cent phenol. The dosage used was 1 c. c. for adults and % c. c. for chicks. In 19 epidemics, 2140 birds were vaccinated. Prior to vacci nation the loss had been 303 birds in these flocks. Subsequent to vaccination the loss was 41, practically all of the birds having well defined typhoid Avhen vaccinated. Of 974 birds prophylact'ically vaccinated this year (1923) on infected premises, no losses occurred from this disease. The writers wish to take this opportunity of thanking the directors and workers of the following laboratories for sending us transfers of B. sanguinarium cultures they carried in stock. Pasteur Institute, Paris, France ; Louvain UniA^ersity, Louvain, Belgium; State Serum Laboratory, Rotterdam, Holland; Lister Institute, London, England ; University of California and other American Institutions.