An Explorative Study of the Causal Pathogenesis of Green Liver Discoloration in Organically Reared Female Bronze Turkeys (<i>Meleagris gallopavo</i>) Considering the Infectious Risk Factors
Larissa Cuta,
Christoph Georg Baums,
Kerstin Cramer,
Maxi Harzer,
Jutta Hauptmann,
Kristin Heenemann,
Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns,
Ines Stegmaier,
Thomas W. Vahlenkamp,
Volker Schmidt
Affiliations
Larissa Cuta
Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Christoph Georg Baums
Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Kerstin Cramer
Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Maxi Harzer
Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Jutta Hauptmann
Institute of Bacteriology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Kristin Heenemann
Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Maria-Elisabeth Krautwald-Junghanns
Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Ines Stegmaier
Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Thomas W. Vahlenkamp
Institute of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Volker Schmidt
Clinic for Birds and Reptiles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 17, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
A recent study revealed that organically raised Bronze turkeys showed a high prevalence of green liver discoloration. This alteration is commonly associated with the Turkey Osteomyelitis Complex and potentially caused by opportunistic bacteria. Therefore, 360 organically fattened Bronze turkeys were examined post-mortem throughout two fattening trials with two examinations each to determine possible infectious risk factors and reduce disease prevalence. Clinical and pathoanatomical examinations were performed on every hen. Histopathological, bacteriological, parasitological, and virological examinations were performed on at least six hens without and, if applicable, six hens with green livers on each examination date. Overall, 9.0% of all hens had a green liver without a correlation with bacterial or parasitological findings but multiple health impairments. The discoloration correlated significantly with the detection of immunosuppressive turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus at the early stage and macro- and histological joint/bone lesions at the late fattening stage, indicating the presence of two different predisposing pathogeneses. Flocks not being vaccinated against hemorrhagic enteritis but having a virus-positive sample showed the highest prevalence of green liver discoloration and developed worse in various parameters. In conclusion, an adequate vaccination schedule and the prevention of field infections may lead to a decreased risk of performance reduction and improved animal health.
