In the poultry industry, avian cholera is a serious disease that often results in huge economic losses. The culprit responsible for this disease is the bacterium Pasteurella multocida
. This Gram-negative, non-motile, penicillin-sensitive cocci has been shown to cause severe disease in a variety of animals, including atrophic rhinitis in pigs and hemorrhagic sepsis in cattle. Additionally, it is a common cause of skin infections in humans caused by pet bites.
Pasteurella multocida has caused numerous animal diseases since it was first discovered in cholera-infected birds in 1878. Its threat to poultry still cannot be underestimated.
The story of Pasteurella multocida
begins in 1878. This bacterium was noticed by the medical community because it caused avian cholera. Although isolated in 1880 by Louis Pasteur and named after him, the bacterium's mutation and spread patterns are worth studying to this day.
Poultry cholera is primarily controlled by specific serotypes, particularly serotypes 1, 3, and 4. In North America, serotype 1 is positively associated with the incidence of avian cholera. However, the bacterium typically does not live long in wetlands, making its spread patterns predictable. Studies have shown that poultry often spread this bacteria to new locations during migration, causing a "tide of infectious diseases".
Poultry cholera is potentially contagious, especially in intensive poultry-breeding environments, which increases the likelihood of rapid outbreaks.
Pasteurella multocida
can express a variety of pathogenic factors. For example, the bacterium's polysaccharide capsule helps resist phagocytosis by the host's immune system. Capsule A has been shown experimentally to help resist complement-mediated lysis. In addition, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure of this bacterium is also thought to play an important role in its pathogenicity.
Diagnosis of Pasteurella multocida
infection usually relies on clinical findings and laboratory testing. However, false negative reports are still quite common in clinical practice. The most effective diagnostic method is molecular testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For infections caused by this bacteria, treatment with antibiotics from the beta-lactam family is an effective option. Because these infections are often polymicrobial, broad-spectrum treatment targeting both anaerobic and aerobic Gram-negative bacteria is often required.
Essentially, treating disease caused by
Pasteurella multocida
requires the use of antiviral drugs that target multiple pathogens, which complicates the process.
Researchers are currently working to explore the pathogenic capabilities of Pasteurella multocida
mutant strains and the conditions under which they survive in different environments. Recent studies have found that this bacterium increases its pathogenicity in low-iron environments. The researchers are also considering how different environmental factors, including temperature, salinity and pH, have a direct impact on the bacterium's ability to survive.
As the understanding of Pasteurella multocida
improves, the development of several vaccine products is also underway, which will facilitate future applications in poultry farming. Whether it's research into genetic transformation or analysis of nutritional needs, information in this field continues to be exciting.
In summary, Pasteurella multocida
poses a serious threat to poultry and other animals, and its pathogenic mechanism and environmental adaptability are still being studied and explored. This begs the question: How can we better protect our birds from this deadly enemy?