filmov
tv
Poultry Diseases: Viruses v. Bacteria
Показать описание
Healthy birds are happy birds and happy birds are more productive birds. As poultry farmers, we know your number one priority is growing a healthy and productive bird.
In the world of poultry production, there are a ridiculous number of things that can make your birds feel under the weather. But believe it or not, some of the smallest offenders can make the largest impact. We're talking microscopic!
Viruses and bacteria, though microscopic, can negatively impact feed conversion, growth rate, breeding and egg production on your farm. In recent years, it has been estimated that the total economic loss from disease is about 20% of the value of poultry production, which is about 3 times the economic loss from mortality. That means that the poultry industry is losing about 20% of its potential profit from challenges caused by disease separate from bird mortality.
Living organisms that cause disease are often referred to as “infectious agents”. These include parasites, external pests and fungus. Some of the most concerning of these in poultry environments, however, are viruses and bacteria. These little “bugs” have an uncanny ability to find their way into houses and wreak havoc.
Bacteria and viruses differ in 3 major ways—cellular complexity, their ability to survive, and disease specificity.
1: Cellular Complexity
Complexity refers to the biological make-up of viruses and bacteria. Bacteria are single celled living organisms that reproduce through binary fission. Viruses, on the other hand, are not even truly living organisms.
Living organisms are defined as being able to grow, reproduce, maintain internal conditions, and react to stimuli. Viruses are very simply a collection of genetic material—DNA or RNA—enclosed in a membrane. In order to reproduce, they have to invade a host cell and hijack machinery found there. Because of this, viruses do not meet the requirements to be considered "living," while bacteria do.
2: Ability to Survive
Along with complexity comes the ability to survive. Since viruses are not living, they cannot persist in the environment for very long. Anything with the ability to damage their membranes will “kill” them. This can include UV light, intense heat or cold, natural surfactants, and disinfectants. Certain viruses are hardier than others and possess additional membranes but as a general rule, they will not be around very long!
Bacteria, however, are a different beast. Bacteria can live in a well-suited environment for up to 5 years—sometimes longer. This is made possible in part by their ability to acquire nutrients from their surroundings. They can also make specialized adaptations better suit their home, whether that means extreme heat tolerance or the ability to photosynthesize.
3: Disease Specificity
While bacteria can be fairly specific about where they want to live, they aren’t always so concerned about where they invade. Most bacterial infections are due to the proliferation of an opportunistic organism. Take clostridium for example! Clostridium is ever present in a poultry environment and can even exist without causing problems. But given a bird with poor gut health or a floor that’s a little too moist, these bacteria can easily lead to necrotic enteritis or foot pad dermatitis.
Viruses on the other hand are extremely specific to what systems and even what cells they target. In the case of Avian Influenza, viral cells target a receptor found in the respiratory tract of avian species. Other species, including humans, have these receptors much deeper in their respiratory tracts, making it more difficult for them to become infected.
Luckily for us, various vaccines are available for both of these infectious agents and allow us to protect our birds from disease. In both virus and bacteria vaccines, portions of genetic material of the organism or toxins it produces are used to pre-expose the bird. This ensures that the next time it meets the same challenge, its immune system is prepared! These vaccines along with supplements like probiotics and vitamins can help ensure that your birds remain healthy no matter what they face.
One of the main routes of exposure to both bacteria, viruses and even parasitic diseases is other birds. Wild birds and even birds from other farms can be sick birds or carriers of germs. This is where biosecurity comes into play!
Examples of Viruses in Poultry: Avian Influenza, Newcastle, Fowl Pox, IBH,
Infectious Laryngotracheitis, Marek’s Disease, Egg Drop Syndrome, and Infectious Bronchitis Virus.
Examples of Bacterial Diseases In Poultry: Chronic Respiratory Disease, Fowl Cholera, Infectious Coryza, Colibacillosis, Bordetellosis, Necrotic Enteritis, and Pullorum.
Комментарии