Unveiling the Prevalence and Impact of Riemerella anatipestifer in Egyptian Duck Farms: Implications for Disease Management and Vaccine Development

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh, Qalyubia, Egypt.

2 Department of Aerobes, Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt

3 Reference Laboratory for Veterinary Quality Control on Poultry Production, Animal Health Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

Duck septicemia, attributed to Riemerella anatipestifer, stands as a significant concern plaguing duck farms globally and specifically in Egypt. The study conducted throughout 2021-2022 aimed to identify and evaluate the incidence of R. anatipestifer—the underlying cause of duck septicemia—within Egyptian duck farms. A comprehensive analysis was undertaken to furnish invaluable data essential for advancing disease treatment and control strategies. Five hundred ducks exhibiting symptoms akin to septicemia were scrutinized to discern the prevalence of R. anatipestifer. Initial assessments revealed that only 35% (175 out of 500) of the bacterial isolates displayed characteristics aligned with R. anatipestifer. Subsequent PCR analysis to confirm the presence of R. anatipestifer demonstrated that 34% (60 out of 175) of the bacterial strains indeed belonged to this species. These findings underscore the prevalent nature of R. anatipestifer among duck populations in Egypt, accentuating the pressing need for robust control measures. Notably, the study meticulously documented the prevalence of R. anatipestifer across five Egyptian governorates—Monufia, Qalyubia, Gharbia, Sharikya, and El Behera. Understanding the widespread distribution of R. anatipestifer in these regions holds paramount importance in the formulation and development of a polyvalent vaccine aimed at mitigating the burden of duck septicemia within Egypt's duck farming industry. This comprehensive analysis provides crucial insights instrumental in devising targeted interventions for managing and containing the prevalence of R. anatipestifer, ensuring the sustained health and welfare of the nation's duck population while safeguarding the economic viability of the duck farming sector in Egypt.

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