Fowl typhoid is a septicemic acute or chronic disease of domesticated birds. The disease is worldwide distributed and natural outbreaks occur in chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, peafowl, duckling and game birds such as quail, grouse and pheasant. This can cause mortality in birds of any age. Broiler parents and brown-shell egg layers are especially susceptible.

1. Chapter #12
FOWL TYPHOID

2. Chapter #12
FOWL TYPHOID
Amjad Khan Afridi

3. INTRODUCTION
Fowl typhoid is a septicemic acute or chronic
disease of domesticated birds.
 The disease is worldwide distributed and natural
outbreaks occur in chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl,
peafowl, duckling and game birds such as quail,
grouse and pheasant.
This can cause mortality in birds of any age.
Broiler parents and brown-shell egg layers are
especially susceptible.

4. HISTORY
• The early history of the disease in foreign countries has been reviewed by
Beaudette (1925) and Lesbouyries (1941). The disease was first recognized in
this country about 50 years ago, when it was called “infectious leukemia” by
Moore (1895).
• Theobald Smith, working with Cooper Curtice (1902) in Rhode Island, suggested
the name “fowl typhoid” on account of its similarity to human typhoid. Since the
publication of the work of these early investigators, little research has been done
on this disease in this country other than the comprehensive investigations of
Kaupp and Dearstyne (1925), Gauger (1937), and Van Es and Olney (1940).

5. CAUSATIVE AGENT
All birds, especially young adults and mature
birds are susceptible to this acute to chronic
disease.
The causative agent is Salmonella
gallinarum, a rod-shaped bacterium which
produces no spore or capsule.
Can be found in the feces of sick birds

6. CAUSATIVE AGENT AND EFFECTS
All birds, especially young adults and mature birds are susceptible to this acute to chronic
disease. The causative agent is Salmonella gallinarum, a rod-shaped bacterium which
produces no spore or capsule.
Elevated temperature to 44-45ºC (109-111ºF), pale combs and greenish-yellow diarrhoea,
depression and anaemia.

7. CLINICAL SIGNS
All birds, especially young adults and mature
birds are susceptible to this acute to chronic
disease.
The causative agent is Salmonella gallinarum,
a rod-shaped bacterium which produces no
spore or capsule.
Can be found in the feces of sick birds
Effects: Elevated temperature to 44-45ºC (109-
111ºF), pale combs and greenish-yellow
diarrhoea, depression and anaemia.

8. CLINICAL SIGNS
 In young chicks there is a per
acute infection with sudden death,
or and acute infection
Weakness
Somnolence
Anorexia
Poor growth
Pasting of vent with chalky white
excreta
Death in up to 90% of the cases.
• In birds older than three weeks:
• Lethargy ( Weakness)
• Huddling under brooders
• Wing droop
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased egg production

9. CLINICAL SIGNS
Broiler chicks huddle near heat source
in fowl typhoid infection
chicks showing droopiness at fowl
typhoid infection
white pasty vent at 8 days in chicks

10. POST MORTEM FINDING
• Liver, spleen and kidneys may be enlarged and congested,
• Yolk sac retention may occur, with yolk appearing creamy or
caseous.
• Lung and heart may have white nodules, pericardium may be
thickened, with yellow .
• Gastro-intestinal tract – may have white nodules on the gizzard,
caeca, large intestinal wall.
• Joints may be swollen with yellow viscous fluid.

11. POST MORTEM FINDING
Spleen 5 times larger & severely
blackish in color due to inflammation
by S.gallinerum at 12 days broiler
birds. its 2nd site of infection of fowl
typhoid in poultr
liver became 6 times enlarged than normal
& markedly congested at 08 days chick's. Pericarditis conjugation infection at
9 days broiler chicks

12. CLINICAL FINDING AND LESIONS
• Fowl typhoid may be acute or chronic. Clinical signs and lesions in young birds are similar
to those seen with S. enterica Pullorum infection. Older birds may be pale, dehydrated, and
have diarrhea.
• Lesions in older birds may include:
• An enlarged spleen and kidneys
• Anemia
• Enteritis

13. SPECIMENS REQUIRED FOR DIAGNOSIS
• Isolation and identification of S. gallinarium is required .
• Tissue and faeces samples can be submitted for bacteria identification through culture or
genetic techniques.
• Serological tests are satisfactory for establishing the presence and estimating the
prevalence of infection within a flock.

14. MODE OF TRANSMISSION
• From infected birds, their faeces and their eggs. Ingestion of contaminated food, water or
bedding
• The incubation period is 4 to 5 days.
• Contaminated feed and fomites (trucks, workers, and equipment, etc.), will transmit the
organism. Fomites are inanimate objects which can carry infectious organisms and spread
disease.
• The organism is species specific (occurs in birds only). Horizontal spread occurs from bird
to bird.

15. TREATMENT
• Treatment is not recommended as it will make treated birds carriers of the bacteria.
Best to isolate and destroy contaminated flocks and disinfect the fowl runs and
equipment.
• Amoxicillin
• fluoroquinolones.
• Ceftriaxone

16. VACCINE
• Currently, there are only vaccines against Fowl Typhoid available, which can reduce
morbidity and mortality
• Activated and inactivated vaccines are available for fowl typhoid in some countries.
• Vaccines for fowl typhoid have been used in some areas, both live (usually based on
the Houghton 9R strain) and bacterins.

17. PREVENTION
• The best strategy to prevent these diseases is the application of biosecurity measures,
• such as: obtaining birds only from free breeders
• control of direct/indirect contact with birds and contaminated environments
• control of biological vectors and fomites
• control of feed and water quality
• people transit control
• periodic testing of the birds and isolation/elimination of infected flocks.

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