The Emergence of as a Pathogen in Turkeys.

, formerly known as , is a Gram-positive coccus bacterium that is a facultative anaerobe. Although it was previously considered a commensal bacterium that caused secondary disease because of a stressor, can now be considered a causative agent of disease associated with a variety of infections in both humans and animals. has become an emerging pathogen in the poultry industry, particularly in turkey poults, causing acute mortality, usually without any premonitory signs.

An outbreak and source investigation of enterococcal spondylitis in broilers caused by Enterococcus cecorum.

Enterococcus cecorum was isolated from spondylitis lesions in broilers from two flocks in North Carolina that were experiencing increased mortality. Affected birds showed paresis and paralysis, clinical signs characteristic of enterococcal spondylitis (ES). Affected birds rested on their hocks and caudal abdomens with legs extended forward and were unable to stand or walk.

Molecular epidemiology of Enterococcus cecorum isolates recovered from enterococcal spondylitis outbreaks in the southeastern United States.

Enterococcus cecorum, a normal intestinal inhabitant, is increasingly responsible for outbreaks of arthritis and osteomyelitis in chickens worldwide. Enterococcal spondylitis (ES) is a specific manifestation of E. cecorum-associated disease in which increased flock morbidity and mortality result from chronic infection involving the free thoracic vertebra.

Identification of Ascaridia numidae in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and association with elevated mortality.

An outbreak of ascaridiasis occurred in 10-wk-old guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) on a commercial farm. Birds had exhibited elevated mortality (11.66%) in the previous week, as well as increased water consumption, weakness, anorexia, and stunted growth.