Case report of simultaneous manifestation of head swelling and bumble foot in turkey Staphylococcosis

Abstract

A freshly dead 7 months old turkey from a population of 7 turkeys and 15 chickens with a history of fighting and head lesions was presented for postmortem examination and diagnosis. Postmortem examination revealed swollen head, subcutaneous head abscesses and foot pad abscess (bumble foot) with no evidence of  septicaemia and systemic infection. Diagnosis of staphylococcosis was based on isolation and identification of pure cultures of the Staphylococcus aureus from head and foot samples following standard procedures.  Antimicrobial sensitivity test showed that Staphylococcus aureus isolate was resistant to ampicillin,  cefuroxime and streptomycin but susceptible to ciprofloxacin, perfloxacin, erythromycin and ceftriaxone. The  cause of death was likely physical rather than infectious. This report showed that head swelling and bumble foot could occur simultaneously in turkey staphylococcosis.

Keywords: Staphylococcosis, Head swelling, Subcutaneous abscesses, Bumble foot, Turkey