Induced systemic listeriosis in Alectoris chukar chicks: clinical, histopathological and microbiological findings

Abstract

1. Systemic listeriosis was induced in 14-d-old Chukar partridge chicks, Alectoris chukar, by intravenous injection of a suspension containing 10⁶ cfu/ml of viable Listeria monocytogenes organisms to study the course of infection.

2. Septicaemic and encephalitic forms of listeriosis were observed in all birds. Infection resulted in a fever response 8-h post-inoculation. Disease rapidly developed over a 24-h period with decreased activity, lethargy, ruffled feathers, huddling, listlessness, inability to stand, wing droop, decreased feed and water consumption, growth depression, neural disturbances and finally death. Gross and histopathological changes were observed in the myocardium, proventriculus, gizzard, intestine, pancreas, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, meninges and joints.

3. The diversity of these clinical signs and lesions suggests a high susceptibility of Chukar partridge chicks to systemic listeriosis.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to thank Mrs S.H. Nikpoor for improving the use of English in the manuscript and Mr S. Hasanzadeh for his kind cooperation in figure preparation.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by a grant [No. 419] from the University of Shahid Bahonar Research Foundation.