Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae septicemia was diagnosed in three cage-free commercial layer flocks from Washington State that experienced an increase in mortality and slight drop in egg production. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was isolated from multiple organs and from environmental samples. An agar gel diffusion test of several E. rhusiopathiae isolates confirmed the presence of serotype 1b, and multiplex real-time PCR of the surface protective antigen (Spa) gene confirmed presence of SpaA. Bacitracin administered via the water reduced mortality minimally and only for a short period of time. Mortality was finally controlled by vaccination with a live attenuated swine E. rhusiopathiae vaccine delivered via the drinking water. This is the first report describing the use of an attenuated vaccine to control an E. rhusiopathiae outbreak in a chicken flock.
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29 April 2019
Use of Commercial Swine Live Attenuated Vaccine to Control an Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Outbreak in Commercial Cage-Free Layer Chickens
Rocio Crespo,
Mark Bland,
Tanja Opriessnig
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Avian Diseases
Vol. 63 • No. 3
September 2019
Vol. 63 • No. 3
September 2019
attenuated vaccine
chicken
drag swab
drinking water
environment
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
vaccination