A wire-obstacle model has no effect on typical lesions and positive re-isolations after an infection with <i>Enterococcus cecorum</i> in SPF broilers

Additionally, two control groups were inoculated with PPS, with an obstacle placed in one group. At 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days post-inoculation, 20 birds from the <i>E. cecorum</i>-inoculated groups and eight birds from the PPS-inoculated groups were euthanized and macroscopically examined. Samples from spleen, femur and free thoracic vertebrae were subjected to bacteriological examination.

No significant differences in the number of birds with typical lesions or positive reisolations were observed between the <i>E. cecorum</i>-inoculated groups with and without the obstacle. Typical lesions were observed in 58 of the 320 inoculated birds, with pericarditis being the most common lesion (46 birds). Femoral BCO was observed in seven birds. <i>E. cecorum</i> was reisolated in 45 of the 320 inoculated birds and in none of the controls.

A wire-obstacle model does not predispose for BCO in an <i>E. cecorum</i> model using SPF broilers.</p>