Bacterial Enteritis
Global Impact
Assessment
New global findings
on a common and costly disease
2010
Bacterial enteritis: a global problem
INTRODUCTION
With the 2010 Bacterial Enteritis Global Impact
Assessment, Elanco Animal Health continues a research
initiative it began in 2000 and updated in 2005. As
in the past, the 2010 assessment surveyed poultry
veterinarians, producers and other industry experts
about bacterial enteritis — it’s prevalence, severity,
economic impact, signs and treatment options.
The 2010 assessment also included several new
questions pertaining to breeding flocks and
processing plants. Where applicable, that data has
been incorporated into the results and findings. The
professionals surveyed in 2010 are responsible for
more than 27 billion birds a year—more than half the
approximately 52 billion birds produced worldwide.
ABOUT BACTERIAL ENTERITIS
Bacterial enteritis (BE) has been found in poultry flocks
throughout the world for many years, presenting itself
in 1 of 3 forms:
• Clostridial/necrotic enteritis
• Dysbacteriosis
• Cholangiohepatitis
and veterinarians surveyed reported having diagnosed
BE in their flocks at some point. Furthermore, a
majority of respondents expect BE to become a bigger
problem in the next five years.
Historically, the increased mortality caused by BE was
associated with the disease’s significant economic
impact. However, subclinical losses due to poor growth
and feed conversion are also seen as substantial.
Based on results from the 2010 Bacterial Enteritis
Global Impact Assessment, BE remains a significant
and widespread problem: Nearly 97% of all producers
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DESIGN
The 2010 assessment consisted of personal interviews
with more than 300 poultry experts representing all
major poultry-producing regions throughout the world.
Combined, these professionals are responsible for production of more than 27 billion birds annually — over
half of the approximately 52 billion birds produced
worldwide.1
attitudes, in addition to requesting specific responses
to questions about BE. Respondents were asked to share
their in-depth observations on BE and coccidiosis.
Interviews included questions from the 2005 Bacterial
Enteritis Global Impact Assessment and several new
questions. The 2010 results were compared with the
2000 and 2005 data.
Each interview was designed to provoke discussion and
allow participants to express their general beliefs and
Respondent profile
Global Mean
51%
5%
23%
16%
5%
Company
veterinarian
NAMA & E. Europe
21%
U.S. & Canada
37%
23%
10%
33%
8% 4%
Europe
30%
35%
43%
0%
Independent
veterinarian
34%
13% 9%
0%
Other poultry
health professional
Asia
72%
Live production
management
14%
6% 5% 3%
Latin America
Other
0%
82%
8% 10%
0%
Pacific Rim
66%
21%
3%
5%
5%
The 2010 BEGIA study consisted of personal interviews with 331 leading poultry experts representing all major poultry producers of the world.
Respondents included 171 company veterinarians, 75 independent consulting veterinarians, 15 producers, 18 other poultry health professionals
and 52 other respondents.
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RESULTS
Disease prevalence
FIGURE 3
Bacterial enteritis diagnoses
BE has 3 forms, all of which are found throughout the
world:
• Clostridial/necrotic enteritis
• Dysbacteriosis
• Cholangiohepatitis
95.0
Mean
Asia
100
100
89.8
Latin America
100
98.0
NAMA, E. Europe
89.4
Pacific Rim
90.9
100
100
84
FIGURE 1
86
88
90
92
Percent
98
100
2010
FIGURE 4
70.3
Enteritis in breeder flocks
92.1
67.2
15.5
See BE
in Breeders
81.0
95.7
95.5
4.6
70.4
65.9
NAMA, E. Europe
0
72.0
20
40
81.6
50.0
96.7
44.8
Percent
60
80
100
Among respondents involved with breeder flocks, 4 out of 5 say they’ve
treated breeders for bacterial enteritis.
75.8
17.2
80.0
98.7
68.0
11.3
0
Treat BE
in Breeders
47.4
17.3
U.S., Canada
95.0
65.8
13.2
Pacific Rim
96
92.5
65.7
13.4
Latin America
94
Nearly 97% of respondents in 2010 report having diagnosed BE—a slight
increase from 95% in 2005.2
Forms of bacterial enteritis
Europe
100
U.S., Canada
2005
Asia
98.1
93.4
Europe
Over 92% of respondents report at least 1 form of BE
(Figure 1). And a higher percentage of survey respondents
believe the BE challenge is the same or more serious than
it was 5 years ago (Figure 2). More producers are also
diagnosing BE in their flocks (Figure 3). Respondents also
report widespread enteritis in breeder flocks (Figure 4).
Mean
96.9
69.0
20
40
Clostridial/necrotic enteritis
Percent
60
Cholangiohepatitis
80
Dysbacteriosis
Key Points:
100
At least 1 form
• The 3 forms of BE are widely recognized in flocks worldwide,
including breeder flocks
• Globally, the threat of BE remains the same or more severe
than it was 5 years ago • Diagnosis has become more common in the past 5 years
More than 92% of respondents report they currently see at least one
form of BE. As for specific forms of BE, 70% of respondents report seeing
clostridial/necrotic enteritis.
FIGURE 2
Assessing the challenge of bacterial enteritis
84% believe BE problem is the same or has increased
Mean
56.7
Asia
Europe
Latin America
NAMA, E. Europe
Pacific Rim
U.S., Canada
27.2
61.9
65.0
9.5
51.3
55.4
54.6
35.9
27.0
31.8
50.0
0
10
20
11.5
Greater problem than in 2005
40
50
60
Percent
No change
70
2.5
84
2010
7.7
16.2
6.1
36.7
30
10-year trend: Severity of the BE problem
19.1
32.5
79
2005
13.3
80
90
75
2000
100
70
Lesser problem than 2005
72
74
76
78
80
82
Percent
Nearly 84% of respondents believe the problem of BE remains at the same
level or has increased during the past 5 years. Half of the respondents in
the U.S. and Canada said it’s a greater problem—compared with only
30% who thought so in 2005.
A 10-year trend shows a higher percentage of respondents think the BE
threat has remained the same or gotten worse than it was in the past.
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84
RESULTS
Economic impact
FIGURE 7
Estimated bacterial enteritis cost/bird through growout
Mean
Bacterial enteritis negatively impacts feed conversion,
gain, mortality and condemnations at processing
(Figure 5). More than 45% of respondents see negative
economic effects beginning in the earliest subclinical
disease stages, yet only 33% begin treatment at that
stage (Figure 6).
More than 62% of respondents estimate the cost of
subclinical BE at U.S. $0.05 or higher (Figure 7). And
nearly 70% said preventing coccidiosis yields multiple
benefits at the processing plant (Figure 8).
0
Reduced gut
spillage/breakage
Better plant
efficiency
Reduced
condemnations
Increased
mortality
Condemnations
Other
12.2
0
20
40
60
80
26.8
37.5
30.6
30.6
18.5
29.6
20
30
40
50
60
Percent
U.S.$0.05
70
80
90
100
U.S.$0.05+
Results at the processing plant
Reduced
weight gain
55.3
21.6
36.4
FIGURE 8
Impaired FCR
78.3
25.0
15.2
24.2
U.S.$0.01
Negative economic impact of BE
95.1
10
37.1
39.1
59.5
More than 62% of respondents estimate the cost of subclinical enteritis
as U.S. $0.05/bird or higher. In Europe, more than 80% of respondents
estimate the cost to be ≥ U.S. $0.05/bird. An additional U.S. $0.05/bird
equates to $50,000 for every 1 million birds.
FIGURE 5
97.0
28.2
30.4
16.2
24.2
32.1
28.6
37.0
Asia
Europe
Latin America
NAMA, E. Europe
Pacific Rim
U.S., Canada
100
14.3
12.6
13.3
69.9
All of the above
Percent
97% of participants report performance loss caused by BE, with more than
78% reporting increased mortality — a figure that’s up about 5% from 2005.
0
20
40
Percent
60
80
Nearly 7 out of 10 participants agree that preventing coccidiosis helps
reduce gut breakage, improve efficiency and reduce condemnations at the
processing plant.
Key Points:
• Economic losses from impaired performance, increased
mortality and condemnation at processing begin in early
disease stages
• Estimated subclinical disease cost is U.S. $0.05/bird or higher
10-year trend: Initiating treatment at early signs of disease
2010
34
2005
34
29
2000
25
FIGURE 6
Where economic
losses begin
Where treatment
initiates
29
Percent
31
33
35
Slightly more than one-third of respondents initiate treatment for early
symptoms of disease (score 1). That figure remains unchanged from 2005.
Relationship between performance loss
and treatment initiation
Score 1: Thin-walled or friable intestine
27
Score 2: Focal necrosis or ulceration
Score 3: Larger patches of necrosis
45.8
Score 4: Severe, extensive necrosis
45.8
8.1
0
Score 1
Score 2
33.8
53.6
12.3
0
Score 3
Score 4
0
10
20
30
40
50
Percent
60
70
80
90
100
45.8% of respondents say economic losses begin at score 1, but only 33.8% initiated treatment at that stage. The remaining majority of respondents
thought treatment for BE should begin after a score of 2 or higher is recorded.
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RESULTS
Signs and diagnosis
FIGURE 10
Methods of diagnosis
1. Diarrhea
1. Wet Litter
52.4
50.2
Performance
records
51.9
Laboratory
submission
Commonly observed disease signs (by age)
Week 2-3
84.6
80.8
Clinical
observations
TABLE 1
Week 1
94.7
92.0
On-farm
necropsy
Commonly observed disease signs vary with bird age
(Table 1). Wet litter, diarrhea and feed passage are the
most commonly cited signs associated with BE (Figure
9). On-farm necropsy remains the most common
method of diagnosis (Figure 10).
Week 4-6
Week 7+
1. Change in
Feed Intake
1. Ulcerated
Foot Pads
2. Wet Litter
2. Diarrhea
2. Ruffled
Feathers
2. Burned Hocs
3. Feed Passage
3. Feed Passage
3. Feed Passage
3. Changes in
Skin Color/
Elevated
Mortality (tie)
4. Change
in Water
Consumption
4. Change
in Water
Consumption
4. Huddling
Birds
4. Huddling
Birds
5. Change in
Feed Intake
5. Elevated
Mortality
5. Wet Litter
5. Ruffled
Feathers
43.8
4.3
3.2
Other
0
20
40
Percent
2005
60
80
100
2010
On-farm necropsies and clinical observations remain by far the most
common methods of diagnosing BE.
Key Points:
• Wet litter, diarrhea and feed passage are the most commonly
cited external signs associated with an emerging case of BE
• Commonly observed disease signs vary with bird age
• On-farm necropsy remains the most common method of
diagnosis
Commonly observed disease signs vary with bird age. In week 1, respondents
most often notice diarrhea and wet litter. In weeks 4-6, they notice changes
in feed intake and ruffled feathers. Through grow-out, burned hocs and
ulcerated foot pads appear.
FIGURE 9
External signs associated with BE
14.2
Diarrhea
15
14.8
14.3
Wet litter
12.8
12.6
Feed passage
2005
10
10.1
Feed intake
8.8
Water intake
9.7
8.6
Mortality
Ruffled feathers
0
3
6
9.7
9.3
7.9
6.7
Huddling
2010
7.8
Percent
9
12
15
Respondents most often cited diarrhea, wet litter, feed passage and reduced feed intake as the most common external signs associated with an emerging case of
BE. Compared to 5 years ago, a higher percentage of respondents in 2010 cited diarrhea, water intake, mortality and huddling as signs associated with BE.
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RESULTS
BE and coccidiosis
Treatment considerations
Respondents associate coccidiosis with increased
prevalence and severity of bacterial enteritis
(Figure 11). Based on respondent experience,
ionophores are perceived as preferable over chemicals
and vaccines for preventing BE (Figure 12).
The majority of respondents recommend treating
an entire flock when approximately 10% of birds
are infected (Figure 13). This is earlier than the 15%
threshold participants recommended 5 years ago.
FIGURE 13
Threshold of birds affected before treating entire flock
FIGURE 11
Mean
93.5
Asia
93.2
Europe
97.6
Latin America
87.5
Pacific Rim
96.7
82
84
86
88
90
92
94
Percent of respondents
96
98
4.0
Anticoccidial ionophores
3.3
2.6
Chemical coccidiostats
1.7
Coccidiosis vaccines
0
1
20
40
60
80
Percent of respondents treating entire flock
• Over half of respondents recommend flock treatment when
approximately 10% of birds are infected
• Participants believe coccidiosis increases prevalence and
severity of BE
• Ionophores (which prevent coccidiosis) were viewed as a
preferable method for preventing BE
• Respondents rated vaccines as the least effective BE
prevention method
Respondents’ evaluation of efficacy for preventing BE
3.3
33.3
5
Key Points:
FIGURE 12
Growth promoter feed additives
54.0
10
100
More than 93% of respondents believe coccidiosis in a flock causes the
prevalence and severity of BE to increase.
Water treatment with antibiotics
at the therapeutic levels
76.6
20
100
A majority of respondents treat an entire flock when approximately 10% of
birds are infected. In 2005, the majority established a threshold of 15%.
88.9
U.S., Canada
89.7
30
0
97.3
NAMA, E. Europe
80
Percent of birds infected
Prevalence and severity of BE when
coccidiosis is present
2
3
4
Effectiveness (5 = highest)
5
Respondents rate antibiotics, ionophores and other feed additives as
preferable over chemicals and vaccines for preventing BE.
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SUMMARY
Disease prevalence
BE and coccidiosis
• Almost all respondents report at least 1 form of
BE (clostridial/necrotic enteritis, dysbacteriosis or
cholangiohepatitis).
• Nearly 84% of respondents believe the problem of BE
remains at the same level or has increased during the
past 5 years.
• Diagnosis has become more common in the past 5
years.
• Implications: BE is a common disease that presents a
growing problem for the poultry industry worldwide.
• Respondents associate coccidiosis with increased
prevalence and severity of bacterial enteritis.
• Based on respondent experience, ionophores are
perceived as being preferable over chemicals and
vaccines for preventing BE.
• Implications: Based on respondent experience,
preventing coccidiosis with ionophores may reduce
the prevalence and severity of BE.
Economic impact
• The majority of respondents recommend treating
an entire flock when approximately 10% of birds
are infected. This is earlier than the 15% threshold
participants recommended 5 years ago.
• Implications: Respondents react early to signs of
BE, but a well-planned Intestinal Integrity program
combined with early detection and responsible
treatment (when necessary) could significantly
reduce morbidity, mortality and economic losses
as well as improve the welfare of the flock.
Treatment considerations
• Bacterial enteritis negatively impacts feed conversion,
gain, mortality3 and condemnations at processing.
• 45.8% of respondents said economic losses begin at
the first stage of subclinical disease—but only 33.8%
initiate treatment at that point.
• More than 62% of respondents estimate the cost of
subclinical BE at U.S. $0.05/bird or higher.
• Nearly 70% of respondents said preventing
coccidiosis yields multiple benefits at the processing
plant.
• Implications: Significant performance, mortality
and condemnation losses (due to delayed or no
treatment) indicate the industry could greatly
reduce economic loss with a well-planned Intestinal
Integrity program, disease detection and responsible,
appropriate treatment when necessary.
Signs and diagnosis
• Wet litter, diarrhea and feed passage are the most
commonly cited signs associated with BE.
• On-farm necropsy remains the most common
method of confirming diagnosis.
• Implications: Commonly observed disease signs
vary with age, but respondents generally considered
diarrhea & wet litter as external signs of an emerging
BE problem—especially in younger birds.
2500 Innovation Way
Greenfield, IN 46140
2008. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed 5/11/10.
<http://faostat.fao.org/site/569/DesktopDefault.aspx?PageID=569>.
2
2005. “Bacterial Enteritis Global Impact Assessment. New global findings on a common and
costly disease.” Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.
3
Ducatelle, R. and Van Immerseel, F. 2010. “Necrotic enteritis: Emerging problem in broilers.”
Watt Poultry USA: 22-24.
1 Elanco and the diagonal color bar are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
© 2010 Elanco Animal Health. All rights reserved.
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