Detection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale antibodies in broiler by ELISA in Mosul city

Abstract

Respiratory infections in poultry are considered one of the most acute infections that negatively affect the poultry industry and cause severe economic losses worldwide. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is one of the fundamental causes of poultry respiratory diseases due to misdiagnosis with other respiratory pathogens and the absence of ideal diagnostic protocols. Accordingly, this study aimed to detect the presence of antibodies against ORT using indirect ELISA. For this purpose, serum samples n=368 were collected from 16 small broiler farms in Mosul city and adjacent areas. The results showed that 32.1% (118/368) of the tested samples were seropositive for ORT antibodies. Furthermore, only (18.8%) 3/16 of the farms follow standard management practices, while 13/16 (82.2%) have poor management practices. Additionally, the study showed that only 2/16 (12.5%) of the farms use antibiotics after performing an antibiotic sensitivity test, while 14/16 (87.5%) randomly use antibiotics without testing antibiotic sensitivity. Finally, 62.5% (10/16) of the studied farms have a previous history of respiratory infections, while only 37.5% (6/16) of the farms have no previous history of respiratory infections. In conclusion, detecting seropositive against ORT in the studied broiler farms with poor management and arbitrary use of antibiotics might suggest a significant role of ORT in developing respiratory infections and finally contribute to the massive financial losses.

Keywords

• ornithobacterium rhinotracheale
• elisa
• broiler
• respiratory infections
• antibiotics