title: Chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis in broilers: Further defining a bacterial challenge model using the wire flooring model.
abstract: Lameness in broiler chickens is a significant animal welfare and financial issue. Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) leading to lameness can be enhanced by rearing young broilers on wire flooring. Using the wire floor system, we identified Staphylococcus agnetis as the predominant isolate in BCO of the proximal tibiae and femora, and blood of lame broilers. Administration of S. agnetis isolates in water can induce lameness. We now report that the wire floor system increases bacterial translocation into the blood stream. We have also determined that approximately 105CFU/mL is the minimum effective dose in the drinking water and that challenge at 10, 20, or 30 days of age produces similar incidences of lameness. BCO isolates of S. agnetis are much more effective than other Staphylococcus species and can overwhelm the protective effects of some commercial probiotics. Finally, we also demonstrated that the BCO lameness induced by administration of S. agnetis in the drinking water is transmissible to unchallenged broilers in the same pen.
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701.
authors: Adnan A K
authors: AA
authors: Al-Rubaye
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701.
authors: Nnamdi S
authors: NS
authors: Ekesi
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701.
authors: Sura
authors: S
authors: Zaki
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701.|Animal Sciences Department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran, 91775-1163.
authors: Nima K
authors: NK
authors: Emami
authors: Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701.
authors: Robert F
authors: RF
authors: Wideman
authors: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA, 72701 drhoads@uark.edu.
authors: Douglas D
authors: DD
authors: Rhoads
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006799:Housing, Animal; D015994:Incidence; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055034:Osteochondrosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000502:physiology
keywords: bacteria; broiler; chondronecrosis; lameness; staphylococcus