Cellulitis in Broiler Flocks
J.S. Jeffrey, Veterinary Medicine Extension, Veterinary Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC), Tulare
Research on diseases affecting poultry health or the quality of poultry food products includes the study of cellulitis in broiler chickens.
Problem: Cellulitis is a localized infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissus. This syndrome, caused by Escherichia coli, results in huge economic losses to the broiler industry in California and in the United States each year.
Approach: Controlled studies on the pathology and immunology of the cellulitis infection have been conducted. Current research includes the epidemiology of cellulitis in California broiler flocks, combined with molecular fingerprinting to track singular E. coli strains.