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Vet Pathol 42:275-281 (2005)
© 2005 American College of Veterinary Pathologists

The Avian Major Histocompatibility Complex Influences Bacterial Skeletal Disease in Broiler Breeder Chickens

K. S. Joiner, F. J. Hoerr, E. van Santen and S. J. Ewald

Department of Pathobiology (KSJ, FJH, SJE), College of Veterinary Medicine and Departments of Poultry Science (SJE) and Agronomy and Soils (EV), College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

This study evaluated bacterial skeletal disease in conjunction with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in a genetically pure line of broiler breeder chickens. Chickens from six broiler breeder flocks were examined for skeletal lesions, bacterial pathogens, and MHC genotype. During a 10-week period, eighty-eight, 9- to 21-week-old lame chickens and 34 normal, age-matched controls were selected. Tenosynovitis, arthritis, and femoral or tibiotarsal (or both) osteomyelitis occurred in 86 of 88 (97.7%) lame chickens. Ninety-five bacterial isolates were obtained from 83 of 88 (94.3%) lame birds and 4 of 34 (11.8%) controls. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 72.6% of the skeletal lesions, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus (38.9%). MHC B complex genotypes were determined by hemagglutination for 88 lame birds, 34 controls, and 200 randomly selected birds from each of the six flocks (1,200 total). Combined chi-square analysis revealed that the homozygous MHC genotypes BA4/A4 ({chi}2 = 14.54, P = 0.0063) and BA12/A12 ({chi}2 = 42.77, P = 0.0001) were overrepresented in the sample of symptomatic birds compared with random samples from the same flocks. The homozygous A4 and A12 MHC genotypes influenced flock chi-square values more than the corresponding heterozygotes. An MHC B complex influence on bacterial skeletal disease was apparent in this line of broiler breeders.

Key words: Chicken; genotype; major histocompatibility complex; osteomyelitis; Staphylococcus aureus; tenosynovitis.

Request reprints from Dr. S. J. Ewald, Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, 166 Greene Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849 (USA). E-mail: ewaldsj{at}vetmed.auburn.edu






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