Necrotic Enteritis (NE)
(Path-611)
Lecture 25
Dr. Muhammad Kashif Saleemi
DVM PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
, Definition and Occurrence
Necrotic enteritis is an acute bacterial infection primarily of
chickens and turkeys, although other avian species can be
affected
The clinical infection is characterized by sudden onset, high
mortality, and necrosis of the mucous membrane of the small
intestine.
It is also known as clostridial enteritis,enterotoxaemia, and rot gut.
Chickens 2-10 weeks of age raised on litter are most frequently
involved.
Turkeys that are 7-12 weeks of age are also affected. Both
species usually have some predisposing enteric condition
Necrotic enteritis was first reported in 1961 and has been
reported to occur where ever poultry are produced.
, Etiology
Clostridium perfringens (types A or C) and their toxins are
the cause of necrotic enteritis.
These bacteria are anaerobic Gram-positive rods and
produce double-zoned hemolysis on blood-agar plates.
Alpha toxin is produced by C. perfringens type A and C and
beta toxin is produced by C. perfringens type C and is
responsible for the mucosal necrosis.
C. perfringens are ubiquitous and are normal inhabitants of
the intestinal tract.
Intestinal mucosal damage is necessary for the Clostridia
to proliferate and produce sufficient toxin.
, Etiology
Coccidiosis, ascarid migration, hemorrhagic enteritis in
turkeys, and severe salmonella infection are predisposing
conditions for mucosal damage.
Sudden change in feed composition and feed ingredients
may also predispose
(Path-611)
Lecture 25
Dr. Muhammad Kashif Saleemi
DVM PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
, Definition and Occurrence
Necrotic enteritis is an acute bacterial infection primarily of
chickens and turkeys, although other avian species can be
affected
The clinical infection is characterized by sudden onset, high
mortality, and necrosis of the mucous membrane of the small
intestine.
It is also known as clostridial enteritis,enterotoxaemia, and rot gut.
Chickens 2-10 weeks of age raised on litter are most frequently
involved.
Turkeys that are 7-12 weeks of age are also affected. Both
species usually have some predisposing enteric condition
Necrotic enteritis was first reported in 1961 and has been
reported to occur where ever poultry are produced.
, Etiology
Clostridium perfringens (types A or C) and their toxins are
the cause of necrotic enteritis.
These bacteria are anaerobic Gram-positive rods and
produce double-zoned hemolysis on blood-agar plates.
Alpha toxin is produced by C. perfringens type A and C and
beta toxin is produced by C. perfringens type C and is
responsible for the mucosal necrosis.
C. perfringens are ubiquitous and are normal inhabitants of
the intestinal tract.
Intestinal mucosal damage is necessary for the Clostridia
to proliferate and produce sufficient toxin.
, Etiology
Coccidiosis, ascarid migration, hemorrhagic enteritis in
turkeys, and severe salmonella infection are predisposing
conditions for mucosal damage.
Sudden change in feed composition and feed ingredients
may also predispose
