avian & livestock assay data sheet

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale

Test code: B0064 - Qualitative detection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale by polymerase chain reaction

B0064 is included in the poultry respiratory panel

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a slow growing, pleomorphic, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium. Infected poultry show variable symptoms, and the severity of the disease is influenced by environmental factors such as poor management, inadequate ventilation, high stocking density, poor litter conditions, poor hygiene and concurrent infections. O. rhinotracheale is associated with high economic losses in poultry due to increased mortality and condemnation rates, decreased egg production or decreased performance.

Characteristic features of O. rhinotracheale infection include relatively mild respiratory signs in young birds, usually beginning with sneezing accompanied by slightly increased mortality and poor performance. Symptoms can disappear within one week but may worsen if the birds are co-infected with other pathogens. Upon post mortem examination, foamy white exudate may be seen in the air sacs.

O. rhinotracheale can also cause sudden death in young birds through brain infection, or skull infection which causes a weakening of the skull bones. This type of O. rhinotracheale infection may occur with or without the above-mentioned respiratory symptoms.

O. rhinotracheale occurs worldwide in commercial poultry and wild birds, suggesting a broad potential reservoir in the environment. Many wild birds and poultry thus may have been exposed to the bacteria. All over the world, maternally-derived antibodies against O. rhinotracheale can be detected in eggs and day-old birds.

Infection with O.rhinotracheale can easily be confused with other viral or bacterial infections. Although antibodies to the bacteria can be detected by serology testing shortly after the start of an infection, the antibody titers decline rapidly after peaking. In addition, very young birds may carry maternal antibodies so that serology testing will be unable to determine their infectious state. Finally, serology testing is affected by serotype differences, so some serotypes may be missed by commercial kits. Molecular detection is a rapid, specific and sensitive technique for detection of O. rhinotracheale (Empel and Hafez, 1999).

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of O. rhinotracheale infection
• Ensure that bird populations are free of O. rhinotracheale
• Early prevention of spread of this bacterium among a flock
• Minimize human exposure to O. rhinotracheale
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from birds

References:
Empel P.C.M.V and Hafez H. M. (1999) Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale: a review. Avian Pathol. 28: 217-227.

Specimen requirements: Tracheal swab.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative PCR

Normal range: Nondetected