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By Dr. Ibne Ali, IMN PyrophosUpdated October 20262 min read
Avian Spirochetosis

Spirochetosis is caused by a spiral-shaped organism Borrelia anserina and characterized by greenish diarrhoea, enlarged and mottled spleen, small necrotic patches on liver and linear haemorrhage in proventriculus.

This disease is transmitted by a tick Argas persicus and is thus also known as tick fever or tick paralysis.

It is caused by spirochete Borrelia anserina. Its shape is spiral 8-24µ long and 0.2 to 0.3 µ wide having 8-11 spirals. Stained with aniline dyes.

Soft ticks of the genus Argas are the main reservoir of the organism. Borrelia anserina can survive for long periods in birds or environments. Birds become infected from saliva introduced by the tick. After entry, the spirochaete reaches blood circulation. Septicemia with an abrupt and marked elevation of body temperature.

Characteristic symptoms

  • Greenish diarrhoea
  • Cyanosis of comb
  • Jaundice (specific feature)

Macroscopic features

  • Greenish diarrhoea with greenish intestinal contents
  • Cyanosis of comb
  • Enlargement of spleen with mottling
  • Enlargement of liver with small necrotic foci
  • Linear haemorrhage in proventriculus
  • Presence of ticks on skin / feather follicles

Microscopic features

  • Necrosis of hepatocytes
  • Necrosis and depletion of lymphoid tissue in spleen and haemosiderosis
  • Catarrhal enteritis
  • Perivascular gliosis in brain
  • Haemorrhagic dermatitis
  • Organisms can be seen in liver sections by silver stain

Some important points about spirochetes

  • Poultry ticks are carriers & safe harbour of Borrelia anserina, they cannot survive long outside these ticks.
  • These bacteria survive inside ticks for up to 488 days.
  • Sometimes paralysis is also seen
  • Nervous incoordination
  • In acute cases, death may occur in 12hrs
  • Anaemia during infection (this bacteria might be iron loving so do not give iron-containing growth promoters)
  • Up to 80% of mortality is seen in acute cases but 10% mortality in normal infection is common
Avian Spirochetosis

ALCAEU works well in controlling Avian Spirochetosis #poultrydisease #poultryinfection #imnpyrophos #alcaeu

Avian Spirochetosis

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