1. Enteritis in Poultry

2. Gizzard Pancreas Duodenum (E. acervulina) Jejunum (E. maxima) Meckel’s
diverticulum
Normal poultry digestive tract.
Important structures are duodenum, jejunum and ceca.
Cp normally lives in ceca NOT duodenum.
Coccidia species identified to show mucosal damage to respective intestinal region.
Ceca
(E. tenella)

3. Poultry Digestion Feed passes from mouth to cloaca
Normal reflux from posterior gut
Bile commonly in gizzard,
bile duct empties in jujenum
Cecal contents reflux
Cp normally in anaerobic ceca
With altered upper intestine Cp can survive and produce pro-toxins
Normal poultry intestinal function involves reflux back and forth.
Reflux demonstrated by bile empties into jujenum but often found in gizzard.
Cecal contents normally refluxed back into intestine.
Cp can leave ceca and migrate proximally to upper intestine.
Increase in Cp counts in ceca increases chances for Cp colonization in duodenum.
Altered duodenal environment necessary for Cp colonization.

4. Enteritis in Poultry E. acervulina Cp E. tenella DAMAGE MULTIPLY
Damage to proximal
intestine, like E. acervulina,
may create anaerobic conditions
in the upper intestine. Cp may
replicate in the upper intestine near
ample trypsin available from the
pancreas. Trypsin may cleave pro-toxin
Cp metabolic by-product producing
intestine damaging toxin. Damage to cecal
lining, like E. tenella, may allow proliferation
of Cp above normal levels. Cp
MULTIPLY
READ THE SLIDE!
Damage in the duodenum/jejunum needed for Cp colonization in upper gut.
E. acervulina may be source of damage to upper intestine.
Damage in the ceca allows Cp to multiply.
E. tenella may be source of damage to ceca.
E. tenella

5. What is Enteritis?
Disease of small intestine that destroys the gut wall
Can be caused by Clostridium Perfringens
Produces powerful toxins, which:
Damage intestinal mucosa
Impair nutrient absorption
Can lead to blood loss, toxemia, and death
Primarily occurs in broilers 2-6 weeks old and replacement pullets under stress
Threatens birds world wide
Can spread to subsequent flocks

6. Enteritis in Poultry Disease of multiple etiology
A variety of diseases are associated with enteritis
Can be chronic or acute
Inflammation of the intestines
Economic effects can be devastating

7. Enteritis in Poultry Conditions commonly associated: Coccidiosis
Ulcerative enteritis
Necrotic enteritis
Malabsorption syndrome
Stunting syndrome
Dysbacteriosis
Spiking mortality
Mycotoxicosis
Infections - viral, bacterial, protozoa
Nutrient deficiencies
Immune responses

8. Enteritis in Poultry The problem with enteritis: Often misdiagnosed
Challenge related
Causative organisms can occur naturally
Can be sub-clinical while eroding performance
Etiology is mostly multi-factorial
Outbreaks cause severe economic losses
Prevention and control is the key

9. Enteritis in Poultry Factors contributing to the impact of enteritis:
Management/Control
Environment
Genetics
Nutrients
Presence of infectious agents such as:
Viruses
Bacteria
Mycotoxins
Protozoa (coccidiosis)
Parasites (nematodes)

10. The Enteritis Cycle Toxins Release Clostridium Perfringens Intestinal
Damage

11. Enteritis in Poultry Types of bacterial enteritis:
Clostridial enteritis
Necrotic enteritis
Dysbacteriosis
Ulcerative enteritis

12. Enteritis Economics Costs of disease Also losses when
Costs: 20,000 birds/house
Also losses when
mortalities not detected
Mortality $321.00
Extra Feed $327.60
Weight losses $230.00
Total $878.60/
house
+Carcass quality/down grading/
and processing
DETAIL
Norton, R. A. and Hess, J. B., Auburn University.

13. Enteritis Economic Losses
Necrotic Enteritis can have a significantly negative economic impact
Economic losses can escalate within a flock, along with subsequent flocks
A preventative strategy can minimize economic losses, thus resulting in maximum profitability

14. Enteritis in Poultry The role of enteritis
influencing nutrient utilization:
Ingestion
Digestion
Absorption
Transport
Storage
Mobilization
Metabolism
Reference: Ruff & Allen 1990; Baker 1993

15. Enteritis in Poultry Bacterial enteritis:
Subclinical infection of small intestine
Caused by mainly Gram positive bacteria
Most bacteria exist naturally in cecum and small intestine
Triggered by intestinal lesions, poor hygiene and digestion, immune suppression and other factors

16. Enteritis in Poultry Predisposing factors of bacterial enteritis:
Increased gut viscosity caused by wheat, barley, rye and fiber diets
Some performance enhancers and chemical anticoccidials ineffective against Clostridium perfringens
Stress, crowding, ventilation, wet litter
Immune suppression
Diseases, infections and coccidiosis
Poor hygiene/sanitation

17. Enteritis in Poultry Clinical Symptoms of Bacterial enteritis:
Depression
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Dark feces
Blood in feces can be present
Increased water consumption
Wet litter
Mortalities

18. The Elanco Commitment Consistent scoring guide EHTS MIC - Studies
Ongoing efficacy studies
Global impact assessment
Product Portfolio

19. "Building the Wall of Protection"
Line of Treatment
Maxus
Clostridium
Enteritis
Challenge
Feed Composition/
Genetics

20. And The Research Goes On …..

21. Enteritis in Poultry Controlling Enteritis
Clean and disinfect buildings
Maintain dry litter
Ensure proper ventilation
Avoid overcrowding
Reduce immunosuppresive stress and disease
Evaluate nutritional and fiber content of feed
Control coccidiosis by using stable programs and ionophores vs. chemicals
Use preventative as well as controlling medication with effective MIC against Clostr. Perfr.

22. Enteritis in Poultry Controlling Enteritis Productivity Enhancer
Use a productivity enhancer with effective MIC against Clostridium perfringens
This provides a combination of prevention and performance

23. Enteritis in Poultry Controlling Enteritis
Develop preventative coccidiosis control program
Create stability and immune stimulation
2-3 programs/year
Manage cocci vs. eradication
Use primarily ionophore vs. chemicals
Specifically select appropriate ionophore

24. Elanco Breaks The Enteritis Cycle
Clostr. Perf.
control
Surmax/
Maxus
Elancoban
Monteban
Maxiban
Tylan
Cocci
control
Monteban
Elancoban
Maxiban
Toxins
Release X X
Clostridium
perfringens
Intestinal
Damage

25. Ulcerative Enteritis Caused by Clostridium colinum
Ulcerative enteritis in small intestine
Small yellow foci with hemorrhagic borders
Often liver lesions
Congested enlarged spleen
Reference: Berkoff, 1997

26. Necrotic Enteritis Caused by Clostridium perfringens Type A or C
Lesions usually confined to the small intestine, primarily jejunum and ileum
Severe necrosis of intestinal mucosa
Distention due to gas production
Swollen livers with necrotic foci

27. Necrotic Enteritis
Cannot normally survive in the small intestine since it is an aerobic environment
Changes can lead to an anaerobic environment in the small intestine
Migration from the cecae and proliferation of CP in the small inestine is associated with protoxin elaboration
Trypsin will release the toxin from the pro-toxin and initiate necrotic enteritis

28. Dysbacteriosis Also known as Clostridial enteritis
SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
"summer gut"
"hit the wall"
"flushing"
"feed passage"

29. Dysbacteriosis
Forced by the economic and genetic demands, the composition of broiler feeds have changed.
This could result in dysbacteriosis where birds quit eating and growing. Many broiler producers are faced with this problem

30. Dysbacteriosis Droppings Water/Feed Consequences
loose threadlike and sticky
Water/Feed
lower feed intake with water consumption normally staying constant
Consequences
reduced growth and uniformity

31. Clostridium Perfringens
In the cecum:
Co-exist naturally
In the small intestine:
Proliferate and release harmful toxins
Destroys gut wall
Thickened and inflamed walls

32. Mortality: Death loss: 3%/week Morbidity: Sick birds: 20%
Mortality age: 4 weeks
Bird cost: 19¢/bird
Feed cost: 34.5¢/bird
Mortality cost: 53.5¢/bird
Morbidity:
Sick birds: 20%
50-day target weight: 5 lbs./bird
FCR: (+.20 worse)
Weight loss: .25 lbs./bird
Extra feed: .84 lbs./bird
Feed cost: $195/ton
Production cost: 23¢/lb.

33. Nutritional Influences
Raw Materials
Wheat/low quality corn
Fishmeal
Bakery byproducts
Enzymes
Rape seed
Fusaria sp.