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Avian Cellulitis

Overview

Avian cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection of birds that is characterized by the presence of subcutaneous fibrinonecrotic plaques and inflammation of the outer skin layers. Cellulitis is primarily caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), which is a particular strain of E. coli that causes systemic disease in poultry in the form of avian colibacillosis. The infection can occur in almost any area of the body of the chicken, but most often involves areas with loose subcutaneous connective tissue, such as on the abdomen, breast, and thighs.

Cellulitis usually occurs in association with a previous disruption of the integrity of the skin, such as an abrasion or open wound, providing a path for bacteria to enter the body and colonize the subcutaneous tissue. Avian cellulitis has been shown to be associated with previous outbreaks of colibacillosis in flocks.

Clinical Signs

Yellow or red-brown skin color

Swelling

Skin lesions

Subcutaneous edema and exudate

Diagnosis

History
Clinical signs
Physical exam
Lab testing

Treatment

Name	Summary
Supportive care	Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food. Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Modification of diet with increased antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins

Prevention

Supplementing diet with Vitamin E at 300 mg/kg or Vitamin A at 60,000 IU/kg
Don't overcrowd birds
Use shavings instead of straw for bedding
Provide birds with an enriched environment to decrease chances of feather pecking and cannibalism among flock members.
Feed a balanced diet with quality protein and a balanced amino acid profile
Keep flock at a comfortable environmental temperature

Scientific References

Santos M, Alcantara A, Perecmanis S, Campos A, Santana AP. Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial strains isolated from avian cellulitis Revista Brasileira de Ciência Avícola (2013)
D Swayne, J Glisson, L McDougald, L Nolan, D Suarez, V Nair Disease of Poultry . Wiley-Blackwell (2013)
Alexandra Dheilly, Axelle Bouder, Laëtitia Le Devendec, Gwenaëlle Hellard, Isabelle Kempf. Clinical and microbial efficacy of antimicrobial treatments of experimental avian colibacillosis Veterinary Microbiology (2011)
K Macklin, R Norton, B McMurtrey. Scratches as a component in the pathogenesis of avian cellulitis in broiler chickens exposed to cellulitis orgin E coli isolates collected from different regions of the US Avian Pathology (2010)
Watanabe, O.; Yabuue, T.; Kameyama, M.; Yamaguchi, E.; Uramoto, K. . Incidence of coliform cellulitis in broiler chicken of a processing plant and investigation of the risk factors. Journal of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association 2009 Vol. 62 No. 2 (2009)
J. S. SchraderC, R. S. Singer, E. R. Atwill. A Prospective Study of Management and Litter Variables Associated with Cellulitis in California Broiler Flocks Avian Diseases (2004)
Peighambari SM, Vaillancourt JP, Wilson RA, Gyles CL. Characteristics of Escherichia coli isolates from avian cellulitis.. Avian Diseases (1995)

Geographical Distribution

Age Range

Older male chickens are more likely to develop coliform cellulitis.

Risk Factors

History of recent skin trauma, especially scratches, provides the main site of entry into the chicken
Poor feather cover
Overcrowded conditions
Increased relative humidity
High energy feed
Using straw for bedding litter - associated with 2.8 times more likely to obtain coliform cellulitis than flocks with shavings
Fast-growing, heavy broiler strains

Etiology

Escherichia coli