Rhinotracheitis of turkeys caused by a bacteria belonging to the Bordetella bronchiseptica - Alcaligenes sp group, in Brazil

Abstract

Several flocks of 20 to 25 day - old turkeys were affected by a respiratory distress in the 1982 winter. The disease was characterized by sneezing, dyspnea and lacrimal discharge. At necropsy and histological examination sinusitis, tracheitis and penumonia were observed. A bacteria belonging to the Bordetella bronchiseptica-Alcaligenes sp. group was isolated from 16% of nasal and 77% of tracheal exudates. This bacteria is recognized as being the etiological agent of rhinotracheitis of turkeys. The clinical signs and lesions observed and the isolation of the agent indicates the occurence of the disease in Brazil which we reported here for the first time.