ferric-ammonium-citrate and Poultry-Diseases

The effect of inoculation with Escherichia coli on serum iron concentrations of turkeys and the effect of exogenous iron, as ferric ammonium citrate, on E coli septicemia in turkeys were determined. Inoculation of air sacs with E coli produced hypoferremia in 18-day-old turkeys. Administration of iron with E coli significantly (P less than 0.01) increased mortality, frequency and degree of bacteremia, and severity of lesions in inoculated turkeys, compared with those in turkeys given E coli but not given iron. Similar results were seen whether iron was inoculated at the same location as E coli or at a different location.

Topics: Animals; Escherichia coli Infections; Ferric Compounds; Iron; Poultry Diseases; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Reference Values; Sepsis; Time Factors; Turkeys