Antibiotic resistance as a cause of non-responding fowl typhoid infection at a layer farm in Uttarakhand, India - A case report

The present investigation was conducted to isolate and identify the causative agents associated with sudden death in layer birds in Government poultry farm, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Four birds of about 7-8 months of age with history of sudden death were presented for investigation. The history and postmortem lesions were suggestive of fowl typhoid. Samples of liver, spleen, heart, intestine, and oviduct were collected during postmortem examination. The samples were processed immediately for bacterial culture isolation and identification of the causative agent. Pure culture of the isolates was further subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test for selecting the most effective antibiotic for treatment. The results of cultural morphology, staining, and biochemical characteristics revealed Salmonella Gallinarum as causative agent. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed chloramphenicol as the most effective antibiotic against the isolated causative agent followed by enrofloxacin, trimethoprim, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin in the decreasing order. The S. Gallinarum isolates were resistant to amoxycillin, sulphamethizole, ampicillin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, and cephotaxime; whereas, intermediate sensitivity was shown against other antibiotics tested. This study establishes S. Gallinarum as the cause of mortality at the Govt. Poultry Farm under investigation. The biovar S. Gallinarum was shown to exhibit resistance against several antibiotics which were found commonly available in the area of study. The existence of multi-drug resistant Salmonella is a relevant threat to poultry industry in Uttarakhand which demands a proper surveillance of antibiotic resistance in this area.