USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation recently announced the completion of a funded research project by researchers from the University of Arkansas that worked to develop a multispecies bacterial vaccine for the protection against bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness for broilers. Made possible by an endowing Foundation gift from Georges Inc., the research is part of the association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is a significant issue in the commercial broiler industry and is recognized as a key factor in causing lameness in broilers. This metabolic disease is frequently associated with Staphylococcus sp. Lameness due to BCO may range dramatically from 15% to 57% of a flock being affected during episodic outbreaks. Bacteria that are found in BCO lesions are intestinal bacteria that are proposed to have translocated through the intestinal epithelium and have spread systemically. However, the complete etiology and pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood. Further, there are no effective and commercially available measures to prevent this disease.

Dr. Alrubaye, professor of poultry science and biological sciences, and colleagues at the University of Arkansas recently completed a research project that aimed to achieve lameness reduction in broiler chickens via in ovo immunization with an electron beam (eBeam) technology treated with a multi-strain Staphylococcus vaccine.

The study design consisted of four treatment (vaccination) groups: eBeam-treated, formalin-treated, a combination of the two above vaccine types, and sham (carrier without bacteria). Each treatment group was directly exposed to aerosolized, natural BCO causative pathogens from the day of hatch for 56 days. The eBeam group resulted in a significant reduction of daily cumulative lameness by >50% and prevention of Staphylococcus colonization in the bones of treated birds, while the reduction brought forward by the other vaccines was insignificant compared to the control.

Findings from the study indicated that an eBeam-inactivated, whole-cell bacterial vaccine can be a promising alternative to efficiently control BCO in commercial broiler chickens. This could benefit the industry immensely, in addition to improving animal welfare and health by reducing clinical conditions of BCO and discomfort.

The research summary can be found on the USPOULTRY website.