Veterinary microbiology WORLD OF MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY576•
Microbiological infections of farm animals and poul-
try is common. For example, studies have shown that well
over half the poultry entering processing plants are infected
with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni. Infection with
members of the bacterial genus Salmonellaare almost as
common. Fecal contaminationof poultry held in close quar-
ters is responsible. Similarly the intestinal bacterium
Escherichia coliis spread from bird to bird. Improper pro-
cessing can pass on these bacteria to humans, where they
cause intestinal maladies.Chickens and turkeys are also susceptible to a bacterial
respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma spp.The “air sac
disease” causes lethargy, weight loss, and decreased egg pro-
duction. Poultry can also acquire a form of cholera, which is
caused by Pasteurella multocida. Examples of some other
bacteria of note in poultry are species of Clostridium(intes-
tinal tract infection and destruction of tissue), Salmonella pul-
lorum (intestinal infection that disseminates widely
throughout the body), Salmonella gallinarum(typhoid), and
Clostridium botulinum(botulism).Two veterinarians treat a dog with an infected leg.womi_V 5/7/03 10:59 AM Page 576