Study of prevalent microbial involvement in spondylitis in broiler chickens in Chahrmahal-va-Bakhtiyari

Spondylitis (Kinky back) was characterized by involvement of vertebral column to kyphosis by cause of microbial and infectious agents. Until now, there is no report related Spondylitis prevalence in Iran. In this study, 13 broiler flocks in Chaharmahal-va-Bakhtiyari province, 30-45 days old, with clinical lameness sign were selected. We sampled 85 broilers with clinical lameness sign in these flocks. After euthanizatin and necropsy, the radiograph was prepared from abnormal vertebrates. In samples with disformation of vertebrates and osteic response, bacterial and fungal cultures were prepared from lesions of vertebrates. From 85 cases with clinical sign, 43 samples have radiologic symptoms. In microbial culture 38 samples were infected to bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aurous), 2 samples were infected to fungi, while 3 samples have no infectivity to bacteria and fungi. Results showed that the spondylitis has high prevalence among broilers and the bacterial infections have very important role in this problem. Therefore, controlling of bacterial infection can decrease prevalent of this pathologic lesion.