7th Conference on Colonic Spirochaetal Infections in Hannover on October 6-7

This is a good opportunity for Poultry Vets to participate in the topic of Intestinal Spirochetes in Poultry. Although this disease appear to be absent in the breeding and laying flocks but the diagnosis is crucial. It can be confused with other intestinal disorders and I had seen a suspected case once but then when the samples were sent for confirmation to an international laboratory, they were negative. But, we need to be vigilant on this disease. Unfortunately, I shall not be able to come to Hannover but I shall be very delighted to obtain a copy of the presentations of David Burch and Desiree Janssen. My email is : imamode.lfl@food-allied.com

Dear Ismet, avian intestinal spirochaetosis is spread worldwide in both layers and breeders. The isolation of Brachyspira is quite difficult but PCR techniques are available to determine the presence and the species. Most flocks by the age of 40 weeks will be positive. Certain strains B. pilosicoli and B. intermedia are the common pathogenic ones and usually the condition is associated with the increase in caecal (browny/cream droppings). As the number of birds affected increases the effect on egg production and chronic mortality becomes apparent. Open sheds with poor fly control are the common route of spread of the bacteria to a flock. I have seen these in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, so the chances are high that it will occur in Mauritius (never visited there). If you want further information visit my website www.octagon-services.co.uk and I will email my paper in the Spiroconference. Regards David Burch

Dear Dr Burch, Thanks a lot for your comments and the paper which will be submitted at the Conference. It is true that it is not easy to diagnose the disease. I had to send the samples to South Africa where they had done the PCR. We found the creamy yellowish frothy faeces and we suspected brachyspira. But there was no increase in the mortality or drop in production. Fortunately it was negative. But as you mentioned, maybe it is also present in Mauritius. Unfortunately we do not have the PCR in our laboratory.

It is difficult to diagnose as the Brachyspira only survive in faeces for 24 hours. This is the reason PCR was so helpful. Normally id enough samples are submitted they will pick it up. Murdoch University in Perth Australia is particularly good at it. Usually we do not treat unless 20% of birds are showing the frothy diarrhoea, when it gets to 40% you can see a marked reduction in performance of 5-10%. In our free-range flocks in the UK we could have almost 80% of the faeces affected and a 20% reduction in egg production and increased mortality. Best regards David

Please kindly email me a copy of the paper you are presenting Dr Burch. I am also Interested in the topic. I have also observed such type of faeces in poultry flocks but have always wondered what particular bacteria it's Indicating. My email is tariruth@live.de Thank you and do have an excellent time at the conference. Ruth

INFECTION IN TURKEYS? Is this disease significant in Free Range Turkeys? I'm about to set up the A.S.E.A.N. Turkey Centre, to promote regional turkey production, probably starting in the Philippines. Regards, Joe www.farmerjoe.asia

Sorry for delay been away on holiday. Yes it has been found in turkeys aged 7.5-18 weeks old. There is a potential risk but I must admit that I have not seen it in the UK. It could be due to the use of anti-coccidials in turkeys in the UK such as monensin and lasalocid in growing turkeys. In Philippines, growing chickens were kept on wire and I am not sure how their turkeys were reared. Regards David