First outbreak reported caused by Erysipelothrix species strain 2 in turkeys from poultry-producing farms in Brazil

Purpose

The aims of this study were to report the first isolation of Erysipelothrix sp. strain 2 (ES2) associated with clinical signs of diseases as well as mortality in turkeys and identify the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates.

Methods

We evaluated 118 farms for bacteriological analysis and TaqMan real-time PCR to identify the microorganism in different organs. After this, we made the epidemiological analysis between the positive flocks and the mortality mean. We performed the sequencing of the 16S rRNA region and the assessment of antimicrobial resistance.

Results

We have identified 18 (15.25%) as ES2-positive flocks, without any other species from the same genus being found. After analysing the organ samples, we found liver as the organ of choice for the isolation of the ES2. The sequencing of 16S rRNA region of ES2 identified high homology with E. tonsillarum and E. rhusiopathiae, suggesting that it is not the best-suited target to identify this species. We have found a positive association between isolation of the bacteria in organs and flocks’ mortality. Positive flocks had a mortality mean rate of 6.87%, which is significantly greater than 3.76% in negative flocks. Ill turkeys had gross lesions of generalized septicaemia. The bacterial isolates showed high resistance to fosfomycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and sensibility to norfloxacin, amoxicillin and lincomycin/spectinomycin.

Conclusion

This is the first study in the world that addressed ES2 as the causative agent of erysipelas in turkey.