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Date of Graduation

5-2025

Description

Poultry lameness has become prevalent in recent years due to high growth rates in broiler chickens. Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), the main cause of lameness, is characterized by necrosis of the femur and tibia in afflicted birds. Heavier birds are more susceptible to bacterial stress in these regions due to increased pressure on their growth plates. BCO lameness poses both ethical and financial threats to the poultry industry, as up to 15% of flocks can become affected during outbreaks. The purpose of this experiment was to identify bacterial species present in birds with BCO lameness. 1,800 chicks were randomly distributed into 2 pens with wire floor and 24 with litter floor. The wire floor acted as a control positive and induced the spread of lameness via an aerosol transmission model. During this study birds who were unable to walk when prompted were diagnosed as lame and culled. All lame birds were necropsied, and bacteria were isolated from the blood and lesions on the femur and tibia. Once bacteria were grown on agar plates, individual colonies were separated for further species identification using 16s RNA sequencing. The results showed that Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. were the most predominant bacteria colonizing lame birds. This indicated that these bacteria could be the main causes of BCO lameness in broilers. Thus, this experiment is anticipated to help develop BCO treatments that strengthen the bone and immune system against distinct bacteria. More research is needed to discover the virulence of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus spp. to prevent lameness caused by bacterial infection.

Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Book

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Poultry Science

Advisor/Mentor

Alrubaye, Adnan

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Natural Science

Utilizing 16s RNA Sequencing to Identify Bacterial Species Colonizing Lame Birds with Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

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