Identificazione di ceppi di Campylobacter spp. isolati da episodi di Epatite Vibrionica Aviare (AVH) / Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) del broiler e della gallina ovaiola.

Thermophilic Campylobacter spp. are recognized as potential cause of Avian Vibrionic Hepatitis (AVH) and Spotty Liver Disease (SLD). In the first case, C. jejuni and C. coli have been identified as the main pathogens involved in the disease, whereas in the second one a new Campylobacter spp., namely C. hepaticus, has been isolated. In this paper, the results of a study aimed at identifying Campylobacter spp. involved in episodes of a disease resembling AVH/SLD are presented. Seventeen Campylobacter strains isolated from broilers and layer hens, affected by hepatic and splenic pathological lesions (e.g. focal necrosis, anomalous enlargement, modification of the Glisson’s capsule), were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and conventional PCR. Out of 17 isolates, 11 were C. jejuni and six C. coli. In one sample from a layer hen, both C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated suggesting thus a co-infection. PCR targeting C. hepaticus gave negative results. These findings suggest that C. jejuni and C. coli may be the etiological agents of AVH/SLD cases occurring in commercial poultry in Italy. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate this hypothesis, namely whole genome sequencing will provide a better understanding of the genetic background, mainly the virulence factors, of these strains.