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The Epidemiology of Brachyspira Species in Ontario Layer Chicken Flocks

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The Epidemiology of Brachyspira Species in Ontario Layer Chicken Flocks THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BRACHYSPIRA SPECIES IN ONTARIO LAYER CHICKEN FLOCKS by Genet Asmelash Medhanie A Thesis presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Population medicine Guelph, Ontario, Canada ©Genet Asmelash Medhanie, December, 2011 ABSTRACT THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BRACHYSPIRA SPECIES IN ONTARIO LAYER CHICKEN FLOCKS Genet Asmelash Medhanie Advisor: University of Guelph, 2011 Dr. Michele T. Guerin Avian intestinal spirochetosis is a disease of poultry caused by the spirochete bacterium Brachyspira, and is characterized by increased mortality, reduced egg production, weight loss, diarrhoea, and fecal staining of egg shells, which leads to downgrading of eggs. The presence of Brachyspira species in Ontario layer chicken flocks and its association with downgrades for dirty eggs was explored. Further, farm interviews were conducted to determine risk factors associated with the presence of Brachyspira species. The prevalence of Brachyspira species was significantly higher in flocks with a higher proportion of dirty eggs (dirty flocks) compared to those with a lower proportion of dirty eggs (clean flocks). Brachyspira pilosicoli was the only pathogenic species detected. Risk factors associated with the presence of Brachyspira species were flock age, barn age, multi-age farms, and housing type. Based on these findings, recommendations were suggested to control the occurrence of Brachyspira species and the associated dirty egg problem. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Michele Guerin, who has given me the opportunity to work on this project and guided and supported me throughout my thesis, whilst allowing me to develop my own independent thinking and approach to research problem solving. My deepest gratitude also goes to the members of my advisory committee, Dr. Scott McEwen and Dr. Durda Slavic, whose scientific guidance and assistance made this work and my studentship a success. I am deeply indebted to Dr. McEwen for his all-rounded encouragement and direction. In this regard, I would like to acknowledge the superb assistance of Dr. Slavic in facilitating and coordinating the sample submission and analysis. This thesis would not have been possible without the contribution of study collaborators, Dr. Lloyd Weber, Babak Sanei, Leanne Cooley, and Scott Houghton. I also appreciate the overall help of Pamela Bolton from the Egg Farmers of Ontario. Many people have generously offered their time and support to this study. My heartfelt appreciation goes to Dr. David Pearl, for his advice in statistical analysis and for his enjoyable and invaluable Epi II class; Dr. Marina Brash, for her overall contribution and encouragement throughout the study; Dr. Mike Petrik for introducing me to the Ontario layer chicken industry; Dr. Agnes Agunos, for training me on sampling process, and Jennifer Zoethout and Amanda Drexler for prompt sample processing. The overall support of the Department of Population Medicine staff and fellow graduate students is appreciated. I would like to convey my appreciation to the Egg Farmers of Ontario for their cooperation. I would also like to express my gratitude to all egg producers who participated in this study and responded to my questionnaire kindly despite their busy work schedules. This project was iii supported by the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Agreement through the Animal Health Strategic Investment fund (AHSI) managed by the Animal Health Laboratory of the University of Guelph. Field work supplies were provided by Public Health Agency of Canada. I wish to express my love and gratitude to my beloved daughters Edna and Abigail and my husband and best friend Hibret Adissu for their love and support. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION, LITERATURE REVIEW, AND OBJECTIVES ..................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................... 2 Brachyspira and avian intestinal spirochetosis ....................................................................... 2 Pathogenic Brachyspira species ............................................................................................. 4 Brachyspira hyodysenteriae .................................................................................................... 4 Brachyspira pilosicoli ............................................................................................................. 5 Brachyspira intermedia .......................................................................................................... 6 Brachyspira alvinipulli ........................................................................................................... 6 Non-pathogenic species of Brachyspira ................................................................................. 6 Zoonotic importance of Brachyspira species ......................................................................... 7 Epidemiology of Brachyspira in chickens and other avian hosts ........................................... 8 Risk factors associated with Brachyspira species in chickens and other hosts .................... 11 Age ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Housing and manure disposal ............................................................................................... 12 Feed and medication ............................................................................................................. 12 Reservoir animals .................................................................................................................. 14 Other management factors .................................................................................................... 14 OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................... 15 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 16 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 30 Brachyspira species in Ontario layer chicken flocks and its association with downgrades for dirty eggs ...................................................................................................................................... 30 v ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. 30 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 31 MATERIAL AND METHODS .................................................................................................... 33 Sample size ........................................................................................................................... 33 Flock recruitment .................................................................................................................. 34 Sample collection .................................................................................................................. 35 Detection of Brachyspira species from faecal samples ........................................................ 35 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 36 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................................... 37 Flock and barn description .................................................................................................... 37 Prevalence and association between flock status and presence of Brachyspira species ...... 37 DISCUSSION ............................................................................................................................... 39 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................... 42 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 48 Risk factors associated with Brachyspira species in Ontario layer chicken flocks ............... 48 ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. 48 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................
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