Riemerella anatipestifer infection in domestic ducks in Japan, 2014

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 78; no. 10; pp. 1635 - 1638
• Main Authors: CHIKUBA, Takumi, UEHARA, Haru, FUMIKURA, Shintaro, TAKAHASHI, Ken, SUZUKI, Yoshihisa, HOSHINOO, Kaori, YAMAMOTO, Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2016; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Anas platyrhynchos; Animals; Aquatic birds; Ataxia; Avian Pathology; Bacteria; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; duck; Ducks; Flavobacteriaceae Infections - epidemiology; Flavobacteriaceae Infections - pathology; Flavobacteriaceae Infections - veterinary; Infections; Japan; Japan - epidemiology; Leg; Meat; Meningitis; Organs; Outbreaks; Pandemics; Pathology; Pericarditis; Perihepatitis; Polymerase chain reaction; Poultry Diseases - epidemiology; Poultry Diseases - microbiology; Poultry Diseases - pathology; Riemerella; Riemerella anatipestifer; rRNA 16S; Ventriculitis; Veterinary; Veterinary medicine; Japan
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.16-0278

The outbreak of Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) infection has been confirmed in meat-type domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) for the first time in 27 years in Japan. In January 2014, increased mortality in a 14- to 21-day-old duck flock was reported to veterinary officials by the owner. The affected ducks exhibited reduced movement, ataxia and dorsal recumbency with leg paddling. Pathological findings were typical for an RA infection. Fibrinous and heterophilic pericarditis, airsacculitis, perihepatitis, ventriculitis and meningitis were observed. The bacterial isolate from duck organs was identified as RA by PCR-based 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.