The effect of route of inoculation on the virulence of raptorial pasteurella multocida isolates in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

The purpose of this study was to determine the virulence of raptorial Paste urella multocida for ducks and the effect of various routes of inoculation on virulence. Four-week-old Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were challenge d with one of three raptorial isolates (RTHA-2, RTHA-4, or WESO-1) by one o f five inoculation routes (intranasal, intraocular, intravenous, oral, and subcutaneous). Ducks were monitored daily for mortality until 2 wk postchal lenge. Results indicated that the intravenous route caused the most mortali ty for all isolates and that significant variation existed in the virulence among the sources of I! multocida, with WESO-1 causing the least mortality of the isolates rested.