Avian Spirochetosis
Poultry Pathology
Lecture 29
Dr. Muhammad Kashif Saleemi
DVM, M.Sc (Hons.), PhD
Associate Professor (Tenured)
Member National Disease Control Committee (NDCC)
US-NAS One Health Fellowship
Head Diagnostic Laboratory Department of Pathology
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
, Avian Spirochetosis
• Avian spirochetosis is an acute, febrile, septicemic,
bacterial disease that affects a wide variety of birds
• It is characterized by high fever, anorexia, depression,
cyanosis on head, diarrhea and leg weakness
progressing to paralysis and death.
• Borelia anserina (spirochete gallinarum) is 8-24um in
length and 0.25-0.3um wide is the causative agent
, Hosts
• Spirochetosis is found in temperate or tropical
regions, wherever the biologic vectors are found.
• The most common vector is Argas persicus, the
“cosmopolitan” fowl tick.
• The disease affects chicken, turkeys, geese, ducks,
canaries, and pheasants.
• All ages are susceptible but disease mainly occurs in
young birds. Older birds tend to be more resistant.
Poultry Pathology
Lecture 29
Dr. Muhammad Kashif Saleemi
DVM, M.Sc (Hons.), PhD
Associate Professor (Tenured)
Member National Disease Control Committee (NDCC)
US-NAS One Health Fellowship
Head Diagnostic Laboratory Department of Pathology
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
, Avian Spirochetosis
• Avian spirochetosis is an acute, febrile, septicemic,
bacterial disease that affects a wide variety of birds
• It is characterized by high fever, anorexia, depression,
cyanosis on head, diarrhea and leg weakness
progressing to paralysis and death.
• Borelia anserina (spirochete gallinarum) is 8-24um in
length and 0.25-0.3um wide is the causative agent
, Hosts
• Spirochetosis is found in temperate or tropical
regions, wherever the biologic vectors are found.
• The most common vector is Argas persicus, the
“cosmopolitan” fowl tick.
• The disease affects chicken, turkeys, geese, ducks,
canaries, and pheasants.
• All ages are susceptible but disease mainly occurs in
young birds. Older birds tend to be more resistant.
