A report on an outbreak of botulism in broilers in Pakistan. | [Pakistan Journal of Zoology • 2016]

Author(s):

1. Sajid Umar: Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan;National Veterinary School, Toulouse, France

2. Muhammad Irfan Khan: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

3. Muhammad Younus: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

4. Muhammad Yaqoob: Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

5. Qamar-un-Nisa: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract:

An outbreak of type C botulism in four week-old broilers in an open farm house is described. Botulism is an intoxication caused by exotoxins of Clostridium botulinum. At 4 weeks of age, an increase in mortality was observed in the broilers. Clinically, the birds presented with paralysis of the legs, wings, and neck. Affected birds were sitting and reluctant to move. Necropsy failed to find any specific lesions. Except water, investigations of environmental samples to detect the source of the toxin were not successful despite repeated testing. DNA of C. botulinum type C was detected by PCR in liver, heart, muscles and crop. The result was confirmed by a mouse lethality neutralization test. During the 2 weeks after the onset of the clinical signs the mortality was about 47.8%. After 2 weeks, clinical signs and mortality abated.

Page(s): 298-300

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Volume: 48, Issue: 1, Year: 2016

Keywords:

Keywords are not available for this article.

References:

References are not available for this document.

Citations

Citations are not available for this document.

Citations

Downloads

Views