Etiology and Pathogenesis of the New "Poult Enteritis Syndrome"

Poultry - 2008

This syndrome is becoming economically important in the state and we need urgent information on its etiology so appropriate control methods could be adopted.

Steve Olson, Executive Director, Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion

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Project Contact:	Sagar Goyal	Funding:	$82,000
		District:	Unknown

• The Problem • Objectives •

The Problem

Recently the Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MVDL) and Minnesota turkey growers have noticed an increase in the incidence of a disease syndrome affecting 3-to-7 week-old turkey poults. In some cases, poults as old as 9-weeks-old are also affected. This syndrome, call Poult Enteritis Syndrome (PES) appears to be a multifactor disease of young turkeys. The clinical symptoms include diarrhea, depression, and lethargy. Growth depression may or may not be noticed. Atrophy of bursa and thymus is a common finding in PES cases, indicating that the disease agent may cause immunosuppression in affected birds. Of the viruses identified in submitted cases, reovirus is a known cause of immunosuppression. However, of all the pathogens detected, the proportion of rotavirus appears to be greater than any other agent. Previous perceptions of the importance of rotavirus in poultry suggested that this agent caused only mild infections in turkey poults. However, more recent studies suggest the possibility that rotaviruses may be more pathogenic in birds than once believed.

Minnesota is the top turkey producing state in the nation. Also PES has been discussed previously amongst industry veterinarians, causative or contributory agents of this syndrome have not been conclusively established. Without firmly establishing the causes of a disease, appropriate control measures (including vaccination) cannot be instituted. Discussions with industry veterinarians suggest that this disease is causing considerably economic loss to the turkey industry of Minnesota. PES is not a trivial problem, as 89 cases of this syndrome were submitted to MVDL during 2006. The essential first step in solving any disease problem is to determine its cause and develop the appropriate diagnostic methods to detect the disease rapidly.

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Objectives

Goals and Objectives

1. To determine the cause(s) of PES by challenge of PES-naïve poults (3-to-five) weeks old) with filtered and unfiltered intestinal content from affected poults.

2. To determine the group(s) of rotavirus involved in PES.

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Etiology and Pathogenesis of the New "Poult Enteritis Syndrome"

The Problem

Objectives