Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry around the world. The bacterium often affects poultry as part of multiple infections causing very serious clinical signs that are usually not limited only to the respiratory system. This study’s main objective was the retrospective detection and identification of ORT in turkey flocks.

Turkey histomonosis poses a serious threat to poultry production due to the ban on the use of effective drugs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a phytoncidal feed supplement on the course of histomonosis. The preparation was also analysed for immunomodulatory properties.

Introduction: In the present study, some of the commercial fish farms located in the Black Sea region of Turkey, were screened for bacteria between 2012 and 2014.

In this study, positive blood and organ samples were obtained from different mixed herds of sheep and cattle against ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) infection. Target-positive DNA was sequenced and compared with worldwide distributed OvHV-2 sequences. Tegument gene (422 base pairs) and glycoprotein B (gB) gene (2800 base pairs) amplicons of OvHV-2 genome were used for understanding of epidemiology of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) infection in Turkey. The results of nucleotide sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products indicated presence of sheep-associated form for MCF infection in Turkey. Although the obtained sequences were genetically different from each other, it was found that genetic variations were limited.

Molecular detection and differentiation of Pasteurella multocida strain involved in a separate fowl cholera outbreak in a turkey flock farm located in El-Menofia Governorate, Egypt early 2008 was investigated. The isolated strain was compared with an Egyptian Pasteurella multocida isolate that was previously isolated from turkey flock during last decade besides four vaccinal strain (A:5, A:8, A:9 and D:2) on phenotypic and genotypic characterization basis. Phenotypically all the strains were similar as all the strains produce non haemolytic colonies on blood agar, and all the strains revealed similar biochemial behaviour. On the other hand, the genomic typing of all the stains using rep-PCR techniques [repetitive BOX elements, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] differentiated the six Pasteurella multocida strains into six different profiles. The molecular identity between the Pasteurella multocida 2008 strain and the previously isolated strain was 76.6 % and were ranged from 65.2% to 79.2% with the 4 vaccinal strains. These results reported the continuous mutations of the field Pasteurella multocida strains among poultry flocks in Egypt indicating the urgent need for the frequent and continuous molecular epidemiological investigations of fowl cholera outbreaks in various poultry flocks to detect these new strains and update the fowl cholera vaccines.

Objective: The study was carried out for molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance anal¬ysis of Escherichia coli isolated from different turkey farms in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 45 samples comprising feces (n = 23) and cloacal swabs (n = 22) were collected randomly from turkeys. The samples were subjected to isolation and identification of E. coli by cultural and biochemical characteristics, followed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. An antibiogram of the isolated E. coli isolates was carried out by following the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Out of the 45 samples, 28 (62.21%) were positive for E. coli, of which 16 (35.55%) fecal samples were positive and 12 (26.66%) cloacal swabs were positive. The antibiotic sensitivity analysis revealed that all the E. coli isolates were 100% sensitive to levofloxacin, norfloxacin, neo¬mycin, gentamicin, and nitrofurantoin. On the other hand, all the isolates were 100% resistant to amoxicillin, azithromycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, bacitracin, cephalexin, nalidixic acid, van¬comycin, methicilin, piperacillin, pefloxacin, novobiocin, cefepime, trimethoprim, netilmicin, and aztreonam. Conclusion: This studys results uncover the occurrence and antibiotic resistance pattern of E. coli in the study areas turkeys. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(1.000): 64-69]

Objective: The objective of this research was to study the histological structures of proventriculus by light and scanning electron microscope and to investigate the localization of glucagon immunoreactive cells within the turkey proventriculus.Materials and methods: Ten adult healthy turkeys were used in this study. The specimens were fixed in 10% buffered neutral formalin. The tissue samples were studied through routine histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Other samples were used for scanning microscope. Results: This study confirmed that the turkey proventriculus was formed from four tunics; tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. The lamina epithelialis was simple columnar and gave positive reaction in Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain. The lamina propria contained simple tubular glands lined with columnar cells with lymphocyte infiltration. The submucosa contained proventricular glands formed with many round lobules. Each lobule was consisted of secretory tubules radiating from the central lumen of the lobule. The lining epithelium of the central lumen was columnar epithelium. The epithelium of the secretory tubules was cuboidal. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed the mucous membrane was consisted of many macroscopic papillae that formed from many folds which separated by furrows. Immunohistochemical observations revealed that glucagon immunoreactive cells were mainly determined inside the proventricular glands than within the surface epithelium mainly in the basal portion of the lobules and in the epithelium of central lumen of gland lobules. Conclusion: The structure of proventriculus structure in turkey has some variations as compared to other species of birds, and this may be attributed to the diet and its nutritious behavior. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(3.000): 290-298]

Objective: Lighting requirements of birds have to be considered for choosing the optimal light intensity. Therefore, the experiment was carried out to study the effects of the different light intensities on performance, welfare and behavior of turkey poults. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 turkey poults aging 3 weeks were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups. The birds were subjected for 3 different light intensities (5, 25 and 50 lux) with 12 h photoperiod in 3 separate rooms. The growth performance parameters of the poults were measured; the parameters were body weight (BW), average feed intake (FI), average body weight gain (ABWG), relative growth rate (RGR), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Besides, blood parameters and behavioral characters were observed. Results: Our results revealed that poults reared in low intensity (5 lux) had better performance (body weight gain, relative growth rate and feed intake). Also, final body weight was significantly higher in 5 lux. The cortisol level was lower in 5 lux than other 25 and 50 lux. Behavior of poults is affected by light intensities in our study, where feather preening, feather pecking and aggressive behaviors were significantly higher in birds housed in the highest intensity (50 lux). In the same way, drinking time was significantly higher in 25 lux. The poults tended to lay and rest on perches more under the lowest intensity (5 lux). Conclusion: It was concluded that, it is better to use moderate light intensity to improve previous parameters with avoiding abnormal behavior. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(1.000): 18-23]

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious, and immunosuppressive disease of chickens resulting in global economic losses to the poultry industry despite extensive vaccination. The emergence of very virulent IBDVs in global epizootics, including those from Egypt, demonstrates how occasionally occurring genetic changes lead to simultaneous evolution of distinct IBDV strains across the world. Upon phylogenetic analysis of Egyptian IBDVs, virus strains from chickens and turkey (n= 146) were clustered within genogroup 3, whereas, twenty nine isolates were closely related to vaccinal strains in genogroup 1. Regarding to sequences from wild birds (cattle egret and green winged teal) were clustered within G1a (n=2) and G3a (n=1) subgen groups. The highest IBDV percentages during 2013-2022 was in 2020 (n=71; 20%) and in Behera Province (n= 54; 15.3%) followed by Sharkia Province (n= 51; 14.4%). The data revealed the characteristic molecular traits of IBDVs circulating in Egypt between 2013 and 2022, which will help in development of effective vaccines subsequently disease prevention. In addition to, it offers helpful insights for carrying out further surveys that are required to increase the understanding of IBDV prevalence in wild migratory and free-living birds.

Turkey's production is very profitable due to the growing demand for its products worldwide, however, poultry farming incurs significant economic losses throughout its production life cycle due to various stressors and high energy costs, particularly during the brooding period. Battery cages save housing space that can drastically reduce broodiness energy costs however, it can make birds suffer. Nowadays, Customers demand products derived from poultry reared in the optimal environment to ensure their welfare. However, the producers care about maximizing performance with the lowest production costs. This study was designed in a trial to reduce broodiness energy costs by rearing turkey poults in batteries and evaluate the performance, behavior, and welfare of caged and floor-reared birds. One thousand turkey poults were housed either on the floor or in battery post-hatching at a stocking density of 52 turkey poults/m2. Behaviors, body weight, weight gain, and some welfare indicators were studied. The results revealed that battery-reared turkey poults have significantly increased 4th week weight, weight gain, and cumulative weight gain. It also showed increased body care and drinking behavior, while eating behavior significantly decreased. Additionally, they have a better feather cleanliness score but were more stressed and fearful as indicated by longer tonic immobility (TI) duration, greater fluctuating asymmetry (FA) value of middle toe length, and increased sitting, latency to ambulate in open field test (OFT) as compared with floor reared ones. However, serum levels of cortisol or oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH) as well as mortality % didn’t differ significantly among the two systems. In conclusion: using batteries in rearing turkey poults may be an applicable strategy to decrease broodiness energy costs, but with some welfare concerns.