Epizootiological investigations of colibacillosis in turkeys.

One experimental and two field studies were conducted to assess the input of the three most common pathogenic serotypes of Escherichia coli (01a, 02a, and 078) via the hatch debris, environment of turkey buildings, and feed and water supplied these turkeys. Air samples were also taken to assess the environmental load in the experimental study. These studies revealed that in one field trial the input of E. coli 02a in conjunction with mild infections of Mycoplasma meleagridis (MM) and avian influenza (AI) contributed to an outbreak of acute colibacillosis with high mortality. E. coli 02a was isolated from the infected organs. At the processing plant, airsacculitis scores revealed lesions attributed mainly to MM. Lactose-broth rinsings of whole eviscerated turkeys indicated that pathogenic E. coli 01a and 02a could be detected at the time the turkeys are marketed.