Evaluation of scratches as an essential element in the development of avian cellulitis in broiler chickens

Currently, the published cellulitis models do not adequately address the ac tual pathogenesis as seen in the commercial broiler industry. In this model , small dermal scratches were made on the skin of broiler chickens, which w ere then placed on litter seeded with avian cellulitis-associated Escherich ia coli. The research confirms scratches are required for the induction of avian cellulitis. The research also confirms that "type I" cellulitis lesio ns or those previously thought to be due to hatchery-borne infections can b e induced with scratches. The described methods provide a realistic model f or cellulitis development that will improve the reliability of prophylactic and therapeutic regimen efficacy testing data, thereby providing informati on more directly useful to the commercia broiler industry