Enterococcus cecorum is a gram-positive bacteria that has become an emerging pathogen in the poultry industry over the past decade, especially affecting broiler production. Although traditionally considered a harmless commensal of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry, today, certain strains of E. cecorum can cause a variety of health problems in broilers, resulting in significant economic losses to producers due to increased mortality and worsening production performance.

Pathogenesis of Enterococcus cecorum

The pathogenesis of E. cecorum in broilers has not been fully described, but several factors have been identified that influence its ability to cause clinical disease on farm:

1. Antimicrobial resistance: pathogenic strains of E. cecorum are often resistant to antibiotics. This makes it difficult to treat infections and may contribute to the spread of the bacteria on farms.
2. Production of virulence factors: E. cecorum produces several virulence factors, such as enzymes and toxins, which allow it to colonize and damage poultry tissues, especially at the digestive tract. Subsequently, lesions are observed in joints, bones and other organs.
3. Inflammation: cecorum infection can trigger an inflammatory response in the bird, which can further damage tissues and aggravate cases, where a significant percentage of mortality can occur.

Clinical signs and lesions

cecorum infection in broilers can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including:

• Locomotor problems: Lameness, difficulty in locomotion and abnormal postures, such as the typical “sitting chicken pose”.
• Joint injuries: Arthritis, inflammation and deformity of the joints.
• Bone lesions: Osteomyelitis, bone necrosis and fractures, more evident in the legs.
• Septicemia: Generalized infection that can lead to high levels of mortality.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of E. cecorum infection is based on identification of the bacteria from clinical samples, such as joint or bone swabs, or in tissues from dead birds. Laboratory tests, such as bacterial culture and PCR, can be used to confirm the presence of E. cecorum and determine its sensitivity to antibiotics, but because of its characteristics, further non-antibiotic control measures are necessary.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment of E. cecorum infections is difficult due to antibiotic resistance.

Prevention of E. cecorum infection is based, among other measures, on the application of good management practices, such as:

• Hygiene: keeping facilities clean and disinfected to reduce the spread of bacteria.
• Biosecurity: Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of E. cecorum into the farm.
• Nutrition: Provide a balanced diet to strengthen the immune system of the birds, as well as to strengthen the digestive epithelium.
• Stress management: Reduce stress in birds, as stress can weaken the immune system, and the intestinal epithelial barrier, and make them more susceptible to infection.

Biovet S.A., has developed within its line of antimicrobials, a specific solution against Enterococcus cecorum. It is Alquermold ECI, based on natural phenolic compounds that synergistically disrupt the cell wall of E. cecorum, causing the extravasation of its contents to the outside and cell death. This technology has been tested in vitro, with a reduction of more than 70% of the CFU of this microorganism, and also in field conditions, showing improvements in weights and average daily gain, as well as a reduction in mortality. This solution is postulated as an effective tool applied within the framework of the rest of the recommended practices listed in the previous sections, allowing the control of this emerging pathology without creating resistance or requiring a withdrawal period.

Conclusions

Enterococcus cecorum is an emerging pathogen that represents a growing challenge for the poultry industry. Its pathogenicity, its resistance to antibiotics and its potential to spread rapidly on farms make it important to implement effective prevention and control measures. The use of tools such as Alquermold ECI has proven to be effective in the control of this microorganism, with direct results on the bacterial load of E. cecorum, and indirect results in improving mortality and production parameters.