Isolation of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale from turkeys in Quebec, Canada

In the spring of 1997, three large white hybrid turkey layer flocks of 52 w k of age experienced a severe respiratory condition. During the outbreak, t he turkeys showed respiratory signs, an increased mortality race, and an im portant drop in egg production Macroscopic and histopathologic examinations were carried out on several carcasses, as well as bacteriologic analyses o n different tissues. Colonies of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (OR) were detected after 24 hr of incubation, and the isolate appeared to be serotype A. The identification of the species was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfa te-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole-cell proteins. Since 1993, s everal cases of OR infection have been diagnosed in the United States and m ore recently in Canada. Monitoring of this emerging infection is recommende d.